Department for Transport

Railways: North of England

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of the electrification of the Transpennine rail route on (a) economic growth and (b) job creation in each affected region.

Andrew Jones: Through the Northern Hub project, the Department assessed the effects of enabling faster, more direct and more frequent services to be operated between many places across the north of England, and of the capacity to accommodate more passengers at peak times. In the Business Case for the Northern Hub the project as a whole was assessed to bring £4 billion worth of wider benefits to the region and potentially 20,000 to 30,000 new jobs. Additionally, the recently issued invitations to tender for the next Northern and Transpennine Express rail franchises mark an important step in the transformation of the train services in the north of England to support economic growth, and this includes a modernised fleet of Northern trains, including full replacement of the unpopular Pacers and the introduction of 120 new-build vehicles by 2020.

Level Crossings

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what changes he plans to make to level crossings.

Claire Perry: The Department is continuing to develop its response to the Law Commission’s recommendations on the reform of level crossing legislation in conjunction with stakeholders. Our Level Crossing Reform Action Plan, copies of which are available in the House library, explains the steps that we are taking and includes an indicative timetable for completion of this process.

Public Transport

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total amount of capital funding per capita on public transport was in each English region in each of the last five financial years.

Andrew Jones: The following table shows estimated government capital expenditure on railways and local public transport per head of population in each region of England between 2009/10 and 2013/14, the latest year for which figures are available.Government capital expenditure on railways and local public transport per head of populationRegion 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14North East£60£65£60£64£73North West£105£119£115£104£118Yorkshire & Humber£69£67£77£79£80East Midlands£42£40£53£44£45West Midlands£64£63£66£77£88East of England£63£60£66£63£66London£358£327£288£237£268South East£77£76£68£67£66South West£50£48£43£44£43England£113£110£104£96£104Source: HMT, ONS These estimates are based on the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) published by the Treasury. The methods used to allocate expenditure between countries and regions may be subject to changes over time, so changes from year to year may reflect differences in methodology rather than real changes.   Expenditure is usually allocated between regions on the basis of which regions benefit from the expenditure rather than on the basis of where the expenditure is made. However, it is not always possible to put the value of spending down to certain parts of the country on a ‘who benefits’ basis and this is particularly a problem for spending on motorways and trunk roads (by Highways England) and on the rail network, which two headings together comprise the majority of Department for Transport expenditure. As in previous years, this expenditure is therefore broadly allocated on an ‘in’ basis (i.e. the location where the spending took place) in the Treasury analysis.   It is important to note however that expenditure comparisons on a ‘per-head’ basis (using resident populations) can present a skewed picture of the distribution of benefits for transport generally, and for transport in London particularly. This is because the transport networks in London are routinely used by a very large number of other regions’ residents and it is not just Londoners who are receiving the benefits of the transport expenditure there.   Even allowing for this point, one would also expect London’s ‘per head’ transport expenditure to be higher than the national average. London provides key international travel gateways for the whole of the country. London is also densely populated with different public transport and infrastructure demands – for example London residents comprise around 15% of the population of England, but London accounts for around half of all bus passenger journeys in England, and almost two-thirds of rail journeys in Great Britain.

Mersey Tunnel: Tolls

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2015 to Question 2544, what steps his Department is taking to consult Mersey Tunnel users living outside the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Area on the toll review.

Andrew Jones: The review of Mersey Tunnel Tolls is being undertaken by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. My officials are discussing with them how their review will meet the Government’s aspirations, including ensuring consultation with interested parties both within and adjoining the Combined Authority area.

Rescue Services

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to increase the number of people employed in coastguard stations.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The current recruitment campaign for Maritime Operations Officers within the National Network closes at the beginning of August 2015 and will be followed by the candidate assessment process. Her Majesty’s Coastguard will continue to, proactively recruit for Coastguard Officers where vacancies exist.

Vehicles: Insurance

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the European Commission and (b) his EU counterparts on insurance cover for (i) tractors, (ii) quad bikes, (iii) ride-on lawnmowers, (iv) motorised wheelchairs and (v) motorised golf caddies.

Andrew Jones: The Department’s consideration of motor insurance policy concerning vehicles such as these arises from the Vnuk judgement. This case, before the European Court of Justice concerned a man (Mr Vnuk) who was injured when he was knocked off a ladder by a trailer that was attached to a tractor in a barn in Slovenia. The effect of the judgment is that any vehicle that falls within the Motor Insurance Directive’s definition of a vehicle should have a compulsory motor insurance policy. The definition of vehicle in the Directives is very wide. We were disappointed with this judgment. Officials are in regular dialogue with the European Commission and their EU counterparts about the challenges generated by the Vnuk judgment. This has included dedicated meetings with Commission officials, various exchanges with representatives of other Member States and attending a general meeting of Member States hosted by the Commission in May 2015.

Rescue Services

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the level of staff shortage is at each coastguard station.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Her Majesty’s Coastguard is currently going through a complex transformation, which involves balancing the progressive implementation of the new Coastguard National Network alongside maintaining service at the remaining Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres, as they await transition.   There has been a significant programme of recruitment and on-going training with a number of officers who are currently trainees becoming fully operational later in the transition.   The current staffing position for both structures is as follows:National Network Stations  LocationComplementOperationally in PostUnder TrainingTotalFareham, NMOC9569675Aberdeen2317522Falmouth2318927Milford Haven2319827Humber23131124Holyhead2320525  Pre Transition Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres   LocationComplementOperationally in PostUnder TrainingTotalBelfast2318826Dover27171027London7707Shetland2312618Stornoway25151126

Railways: Performance Standards

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Abellio Greater Anglia and (b) Govia Thameslink Railway franchise on improving the standards of service.

Claire Perry: The Department holds regular discussions with all franchise train operators about their performance. In Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) case, since it took over the franchise in September last year, the performance on its Great Northern route has been good. However, performance on the Thameslink route has not been good enough. Senior officials and I have been working with GTR and Network Rail to ensure that the industry identifies and addresses the key issues affecting performance and develops and implements plans to drive improvements in punctuality and reliability for passengers as soon as possible. I have set up regular meetings with industry partners at the most senior level to review its progress against these plans, and recent performance has shown improvement. The Department has worked with Abellio Greater Anglia and Network Rail to identify the key issues affecting performance and develop long-term plans to improve punctuality and reliability. Abellio Greater Anglia’s recent performance by Public Performance Measure had shown five periods of improvement, and though it has dropped off in the last period for which figures are available, was still broadly on target. The inner metropolitan services on the West Anglia and Great Eastern Mainline were, as of 31 May this year, devolved to the remit of Transport for London (TfL). Abellio Greater Anglia and the TfL concessionaires are cooperating closely to ensure the standards of service improve.

Rescue Services: Wales

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what targets and performance measures his Department has specified for levels of service from the company which will operate the search and rescue helicopter service in North West Wales.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The new search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service operated by Bristow Helicopters Ltd on behalf of Her Majesty’s Coastguard will match the service levels provided by the current military and Coastguard SAR helicopters.

Rescue Services: Wales

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from the Welsh Government on the future of the search and rescue helicopter service in North West Wales.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I have not received any representations from the Welsh Government on the search and rescue helicopter service in north west Wales.

Railways

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of the Code of Practice on retail information for rail tickets and services, published in March 2015.

Claire Perry: Operators must put their customers at the heart of their business and provide the highest standards of service at every retail channel. We welcome the publication of the Code of Practice on Retail Information, the development of which was overseen by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The Code gives retailers a clearer understanding of the information they need to provide to passengers to help them choose, buy and use the most appropriate ticket for their journey. The ORR wrote to all train operators in May asking them to assess their compliance with the Code, and is currently reviewing the responses. ORR intends to use this information to target where it thinks further work might be required and will publish an update report in the summer. We will continue to engage with the work the ORR is undertaking and the progress made by train operators to enhance the retail experience for passengers.

Rescue Services: Wales

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Bristow Helicopters on that company's contingency plans should it no longer be profitable for it to run the search and rescue service in North West Wales.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Bristow Helicopters Ltd is contracted to provide a search and rescue helicopter service covering the whole of the UK for a ten year period. The Government is satisfied that Bristow is fully able to deliver this service as contracted for the entirety of the contract period.

East Anglia Railway Line

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what timetable is in place for the replacement of Trowse Swing Bridge on the Great Eastern Main Line.

Claire Perry: The Initial Industry Plan (IIP) for the England and Wales rail network will be presented to Government in September 2016. On the basis of the findings of the Anglia Route Study, I anticipate that upgrades to Trowse Swing Bridge will feature in the IIP. During 2017, the Government will provide an indication of which elements of the IIP it wishes to fund from 2019.

East Anglia Railway Line

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his plans are for new trains on the Great Eastern Main Line; and what the timetable is for the implementation of those plans.

Claire Perry: The East Anglia franchising competition will drive a review of the rolling stock required to operate train services on the new franchise. The inclusion of new rolling stock will score very highly on the franchises that are currently being tendered and we look forward to receiving innovative and affordable propositions from bidders.

East Anglia Railway Line

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the reconstruction of Haughley Junction and adjacent track on the Great Eastern Main Line.

Claire Perry: The Initial Industry Plan (IIP) for the England and Wales rail network will be presented to Government in September 2016. On the basis of the findings of the Anglia Route Study, I anticipate that upgrades in the vicinity of Haughley Junction will feature in the IIP. During 2017, the Government will provide an indication of which elements of the IIP it wishes to fund from 2019.

Railways: Essex

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the construction of extra track on the rail line between Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel and Witham in Essex.

Claire Perry: The Initial Industry Plan (IIP) for the England and Wales rail network will be presented to Government in September 2016. On the basis of the findings of the Anglia Route Study, I anticipate that an additional section of track north of Witham (also known as a “looping facility”) will feature in the IIP. During 2017, the Government will provide an indication of which elements of the IIP it wishes to fund from 2019.

Railways: Performance Standards

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the performance of the (a) Abellio Greater Anglia and (b) Govia Thameslink Railway franchises as recorded in the (i) Which? 2015 rail passenger satisfaction survey and (ii) National Rail Passenger Survey 2015 Spring Update.

Claire Perry: Department officials do meet with Transport Focus and the individual train operators to discuss the results of the bi-annual National Rail Passenger Survey (NRPS). The Spring 2015 NRPS results were published on 25 June 2015, and the results are currently being analysed. Once such analysis has been completed, the results will be considered at those meetings. The Secretary of State does not commission, nor does he have any input into, market research conducted by the consumer periodical Which? However, the results of the surveys carried out by organisations such as Which? is noted. The Department has not made a formal assessment or adopted a formal position on these surveys.

Stechford Station

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what effect reductions in funding for rail infrastructure will have on the Access for All work at Stechford Station.

Claire Perry: There is no reduction in funding for rail infrastructure. There is therefore no impact on the funding for the Access for All project at Stechford.

Taxis

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with representatives of (a) Transport for London and (b) the Mayor of London about (i) the taxi industry in London and (ii) Uber in the last 12 months.

Andrew Jones: The Secretary of State has regular meetings with the Mayor of London and Transport for London representatives to discuss a wide range of topical matters. In the last 12 months the subjects of the taxi and private hire industries have come up briefly from time to time at these meetings.

Aviation

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Start-up aid for airports: applications received, published by his Department on 27 March 2015, for what reason he has not yet published a short-list of routes that have successfully met the criteria at initial application stage; when he intends to publish that short-list and (c) when he intends to announce successful bids.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government is currently assessing whether the 19 routes that submitted applications for start-up aid funding meet the European Commission guidelines and will announce then after the Budget how we will take this forward.

Taxis

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislation to amend the definition of plying for hire in the taxi industry.

Andrew Jones: In its comprehensive review of taxi and private hire legislation, the Law Commission addressed the issue of creating a statutory definition of plying for hire. The Government is currently considering the Law Commission’s report and in line with the protocol that exists between the Government and the Law Commission, we will provide a full response in due course.

Home Office

Crime: Religious Buildings

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many instances of (a) theft, (b) theft of lead roofing and (c) criminal damage from (i) churches, (ii) mosques, (iii) synagogues, (iv) Hindu temples, (v) Sikh temples and (vi) other places of worship were recorded by each police force in England in 2014.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Immigration Controls: Foreign Workers

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to her Answer of 2 July 2015 to Question 4295, if she will make it her policy to ensure that current employers of workers on tier 2 visas whose immigration status is changing as a result of 2011 immigration rules changes requiring workers who have been in the UK for more five years to earn more than £35,000 gross per annum are aware that these changes are now taking effect; and if she will provide support to such employers to identify employees whose immigration status may now change.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Immigrants: English Language

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will introduce a transition period for her Department's planned reduction in the number of English language test centres.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UK Membership of EU

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what research his Department has commissioned on the effect of leaving the EU.

Mr David Lidington: The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), is focused on success: he believes he can and will succeed in reforming and renegotiating our relationship with the EU and campaigning to keep the UK in the EU on that basis.

Syria: Military Aid

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support and assistance the Government is providing to the Syriac Military Council in the fighting against ISIS in Syria.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The UK does not provide lethal assistance to anyone in Syria. We are, however, helping to train vetted members of the Syrian moderate opposition through the US-led Train and Equip programme. The UK are providing up to 86 military trainers and headquarters staff to the US-led train and equip programme across the region. This commitment will be incremental as the programme is established.The goal is for the train and equip programme to build the capabilities of moderate Syrian fighters to defend the Syrian people, stabilise areas under opposition control, promote the conditions for a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Syria and empower trainees eventually to conduct offensive operations against the so called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).The UK continues to support the Syrian National Coalition to bring about an end to the conflict in Syria.

Iran: Terrorism

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Iranian counterpart on that country's (a) financial and (b) other support for international terror groups.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Iranians are fully aware of our concern about their military and financial support to groups such as the military wings of Hizballah and Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which are all proscribed in the UK. This support undermines the prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East. We have raised our concerns about such activity with the Iranian authorities on many occasions, and will continue to do so.

West Bank: Housing

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Israeli authorities on expansion of settlements on the West Bank.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Government has repeatedly condemned settlement announcements, and we will continue to call on the Israeli authorities to cease all settlement building and to remove illegal outposts, as required under international law. On 16 June, our Ambassador in Tel Aviv, raised the issue of settlements with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and again on the 21 June with the Israeli Cabinet Secretary and National Security Advisor.

Iran: Terrorism

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in countries in the Gulf region on support provided by Iran to international terror groups.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We regularly discuss regional security challenges – including those posed by Iran’s links to armed groups – with our Gulf partners. The Foreign Secretary most recently met Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers on this topic at the UK-GCC Strategic Dialogue on 2 June. We continue to encourage Iran to break its links with armed groups undermining stability and to work towards peace in the Middle East.

Iran: Terrorism

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on whether Iran is providing (a) financial and (b) other support to international terror groups.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We remain deeply concerned by Iran’s links to designated terrorist groups such as the military wings of Hizballah and Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Iran’s support includes financial assistance, the provision of military equipment and training, and directly undermines prospects for peace in the region. We call on Iran to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1747, which inter alia bans the export of military equipment by Iran.

Romania: Corruption

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Romanian counterparts on tackling corruption in that country.

Mr David Lidington: During his visit to Romania in January 2015, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), met President Klaus Iohannis and set out the positive impact that the Romanian government could have on the business environment by further tackling corruption and improving the predictability of impact of legislation.The British Government will continue to carefully monitor the development of the rule of law and the fight against corruption including by encouraging Romania’s ongoing efforts towards meeting the benchmarks of the EU’s Cooperation and Verification mechanism. We continue to expect Romania, as with all other EU Member States, to respect and abide by its obligations to comply fully with the laws and values of the Union, including judicial independence.

Bribery Act 2010

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have held with business organisations to discuss the Bribery Act 2010 and guidance on that Act since January 2015; and on what dates those meetings took place.

Mr Hugo Swire: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials have regular contacts with businesses, during which the UK Bribery Act is often discussed. We do not hold central records of such discussions.

Tunisia: Politics and Government

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his French counterpart on improving collaboration between the French and UK governments in providing governance and capability training for Tunisian national and regional government bodies.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Since the 26 June terrorist attack in Sousse, The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) and The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) have spoken to their French counterparts and discussed areas in which we can work more closely together to support Tunisia. The Home Secretary and I also visited Tunisa with the French (and German) Interior Ministers on 29 June both to pay our respects to the victims of the Sousse attack and for discussions with the Tunisian Authorities.

Colombia: Human Rights

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on human rights abuses in Colombia.

Mr Hugo Swire: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) and non-government organisations (NGOs), such as Amnesty International, regularly report on the human rights situation in Colombia. Our officials received an update of figures from the Office of the UNHCHR on 22 June, when they reported that 21 human rights defenders (HRDs) had been murdered this year. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will publish its in-year update to the annual Human Rights Report on Colombia later this month. This will contain the most recent data collected from a wide range of official sources, such as Human Rights Watch and other NGOs, as well as the UNHCHR. The FCO will publish its in-year Human Rights update on Colombia later this month. It will include a thorough update on the human rights situation in the country, with data regarding human rights abuses threats made against HRDs, journalists and trade unionists, minority and women’s rights and other issues. Once published, this report will be available on the FCO’s website at www.gov.uk/government/publications/colombia-country-of-concern/colombia-country-of-concern.

Colombia: Detainees

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Colombia on the imprisonment of civil society activists and trade unionists in that country.

Mr Hugo Swire: Our Embassy regularly raises concerns about the violence and intimidation suffered by human rights defenders in Colombia, which includes trade unionists, with the Colombian government. Our officials continue to make representations to the government of Colombia regarding imprisoned trade unionists Huber Ballesteros and David Ravelo, to ensure due process and appropriate conditions. Our officials visited Huber Ballesteros last November, and continue to lobby prison authorities to ensure that conditions are appropriate for his medical needs. They have also recently requested access to visit Mr Ravelo in prison, having visited him previously just after he was sentenced in December 2012. Human rights form a core part of the United Kingdom’s engagement with Colombia and we continue to raise these issues at the highest levels.

Colombia: Homicide

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the recent Human Rights Watch report on alleged senior military involvement in false positive cases in Colombia.

Mr Hugo Swire: On 25 June, our Ambassador in Colombia hosted a lunch for other ambassadors from EU Member States at which the Americas Director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), José Miguel Vivanco, presented HRW’s report ‘On Their Watch’. We take seriously the allegations in this report pertaining to false positives and I welcome President Santos’ pledge to ensure that they are investigated thoroughly. We attach importance to his firm commitment that there will be no impunity for human rights abuses in Colombia. The UK works with the Colombian government and military as part of our joint efforts to improve the country’s human rights situation. We regularly discuss human rights and already have clear criteria in place to guide all bilateral defence engagement. We will, of course, continue to monitor this case as investigations proceed.

Colombia: Human Rights

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received of killings of Colombian human rights activists.

Mr Hugo Swire: Our officials in Bogotá received a report from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) on 22 June, that 21 human rights defenders (HRDs) had been murdered so far this year. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will publish its in-year update to the annual Human Rights Report on Colombia later this month. This will contain the most recent data collected from a wide range of official sources regarding human rights abuses. All reports can be found on the FCO’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/colombia-country-of-concern/colombia-country-of-concern

Colombia: Peace Negotiations

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support the Colombian peace process.

Mr Hugo Swire: We continue to support efforts to secure peace in Colombia. We have offered advice to the government, based on our experience in Northern Ireland. Our Embassy in Bogotá works closely with the Ministry of Post-Conflict, Security and Human Rights to support their post-conflict planning, and funds projects to help the Ministry develop a model for rural security and a rapid response plan in readiness for a peace agreement. I had the opportunity to meet the Colombian High Commissioner for Peace, Sergio Jaramillo Caro, during his visit to London in May. I also met Foreign Minister Holguín in Brussels last month. On both occasions, I reiterated the United Kingdom’s support for the peace process.

Burma

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions has he had with the Burmese government on (a) the Rohingya community in Rakhine state and (b) democracy and human rights in that country.

Mr Hugo Swire: We have consistently raised our concern at the situation of the Rohingya community in all recent Ministerial contacts with the Burmese government. Most recently, I called the Burmese Ambassador in to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 May to express our concern at the migrant crisis in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, and press Burma to take urgent steps to deal with the humanitarian implications of the crisis, as well as the underlying causes in Rakhine. It is vital that Burma addresses the longer-term issues which lie at the root of the problem - namely the desperate conditions in which Rohingya communities are living in Rakhine State.  We recognise the significant steps towards democratic reform that the government of Burma has taken over the past two years. At the same time, we are clear that much more needs to be done, and that progress in some areas of human rights has declined. The November parliamentary elections will be a critically important test of the government’s commitment to see the reforms through to their conclusion. It is vital for Burma’s future development that these are inclusive and credible. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) made this point to President Thein Sein at the Group of Twenty (G20) summit in Brisbane in November.

Amnesty International: Surveillance

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal Determination of 22 June 2015, IPT/13/194/H, and subsequent correction of 1 July 2015, under what statutory provision the interception of the communications of Amnesty International by GCHQ was authorised.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: It is the longstanding policy of successive British governments not to comment on intelligence matters. I refer my hon. Friend to the judgment of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, 22 June 2015, as corrected on 1 July 2015, which found that any interception that occurred was lawful and proportionate under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000.

Attorney General

Radicalism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Attorney General, what steps the CPS is taking to ensure the effective prosecution of British nationals inciting extremism.

Robert Buckland: Prosecutions for offences of stirring up racial and religious hatred and hatred based upon sexual orientation can only be brought with the consent of one of the Law Officers.All cases where terrorism-related or incitement to hatred offences are being considered are dealt with by Specialist Prosecutors in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division to ensure a consistent approach. The CPS has also established a network of Hate Crime Coordinators to ensure that good practice and innovation is shared, produced a Hate Crime Strategy for 2014-17 and issued internal guidance to prosecutors setting out its approach to those involved in committing acts of violent extremism and inciting racial and religious hatred and hatred based upon sexual orientation.Since 2006 27 defendants have been successfully prosecuted under the Public Order Act 1986 for offences related to inciting racial, religious or sexual hatred. In addition to this since ISIL was made a proscribed organisation in June 2014 6 individuals have been successfully prosecuted under the terrorism Act 2006 for inciting or promoting terrorist activities.

Attorney General: Freedom of Information

Peter Grant: To ask the Attorney General, on how many occasions the Law Officers' Departments applied the exemption in section 38(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (disclosure likely to endanger the physical or mental health of any individual) in wholly or partly refusing a freedom of information request in each of the last five years.

Peter Grant: To ask the Attorney General, what instructions have been given to staff in the Law Officers' Departments dealing with freedom of information requests on the application of Freedom of Information Act Awareness Guidance No. 19, issued by the Information Commissioner's Office, in considering whether to apply the exemptions in section 38 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Peter Grant: To ask the Attorney General, on how many occasions the Law Officers' Departments applied the exemption in section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (disclosure likely to endanger the safety of any individual) in wholly or partly refusing a freedom of information request in each of the last five years.

Robert Buckland: The information which is available on the use of section 38(1)(a) and 38(1)(b) by the Law Officers Departments is contained in the following table.   Number of occasions Section 38(1)(a) applied Crown Prosecution Service2010220112201212013320143   Number of occasions Section 38(1)(b) applied Crown Prosecution ServiceTreasury Solicitors Department201011201130201220201300201400   More detailed figures for the constituent parts of section 38 are not readily available for the remaining Law Officers Departments, as their systems are not designed to provide a more detailed breakdown than is required for published statistics.   Statistics on the use of Freedom of Information exemptions by the Law Officers Departments are published by the Ministry of Justice (Table 10 of annual reports). They are available here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.These statistics provide the number of times section 38 as a whole has been used by each government department.   No guidance has been issued to staff on the application of Freedom of Information Act Awareness Guidance No.19, issued by the Information Commissioner's Office, about the application of section 38 of the Act. However, the Ministry of Justice has published its own guidance on the use of this exemption. This is available here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/information-access-rights/foi-guidance-for-practitioners/exemptions-guidance.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Chambers of Commerce

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans his Department has to increase the role of Accredited Chambers of Commerce in supporting UK exporters.

Anna Soubry: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) works extensively with accredited Chambers of Commerce. The delivery of UKTI trade services in England is contracted to Chamber or Chamber related organisations in 5 (of 9) regions. In all regions UKTI works closely with Chambers on a wide range of trade delivery activity. In addition, UKTI has a non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding in place with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) for issuing non-preferential Certificates of Origin. Those arrangements generate millions of pounds of revenue for the accredited Chamber network. Under the Overseas Business Networks initiative (OBNi) Government has invested more than £20m since 2013 in a partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce to increase Chamber-led delivery of trade support overseas. Chamber delivery partners have delivered more than 20,000 high-quality company interventions in 2014. Government continues to work with the BCC to accredit overseas delivery partners, and the BCC will deliver a series of global conferences under contract this year.

Apprentices: National Vocational Qualifications

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the number of apprentices achieving a Level 2 NVQ who continue as apprentices to undertake further Level 2 qualifications with (a) the same and (b) a different employer.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the number of apprentices achieving a Level 2 NVQ who do not obtain employment at the end of their apprenticeship.

Nick Boles: This information is not collected.However, the 2014 Apprenticeships Evaluation: Learners survey found that nine in ten of all apprenticeship completers (88%) were in either full or part-time employment; only six per cent of completers were unemployed and a further two per cent were in education or training, and two per cent were self-employed.The 2014 Apprenticeship Evaluation: Learners survey report can be found online: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/387662/bis-14-1208-Apprenticeships-Evaluation-Learners-December-2014.pdf

Department of Business Innovation and Skills: Public Appointments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will place in the Library a list of all public appointments made by his Department between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015.

Anna Soubry: Under the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies April 2012, government departments are required to publicise successful appointments. Government departments will usually publish this information on GOV.UK www.gov.uk or the appointing body’s website, depending upon the profile and nature of the appointment.

National Vocational Qualifications

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to incentivise young people who complete a Level 2 NVQ to progress to a higher level qualification in the same subject.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department has made available to employers to ensure that young people who complete a Level 2 NVQ are able to progress to a higher level qualification; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Boles: Support and funding for young people to complete higher level qualifications after acquiring level 2 qualifications is aimed at the individual not the employer. Although under the Apprenticeships Grant for Employers, eligible employers can receive an incentive of £1500 for each new apprentice they take on and train. Apprenticeships are our top priority for skills and we are committed to 3m starts over the next 5 years. Apprenticeships are jobs with training from level 2 to level 7 and we are aiming to achieve more higher and degree level apprenticeships, having made additional funding available to support that. We are also establishing National Colleges to deliver high level skills training, predominantly at levels 4 and 5, in sectors that are critical to economic growth where there are recognised skills gaps. We are supporting adult learners aged 19-23 (inclusive) by fully funding all first qualifications up to a full level 3. Learners aged 24 and above studying at Level 3 and 4 can access loan support to help meet up-front fees, removing one of the main barriers to learning.

Regional Growth Fund

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, (a) how many projects were selected, (b) how much has been committed to and (c) how much was spent in each parliamentary constituency in England through the Regional Growth Fund in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012, (iv) 2013, (v) 2014 and (vi) 2015 to date.

Anna Soubry: We do not hold the data in the format requested; the projects by constituency, the amount committed and paid can be found in the attached table.



RGF fund statistics
(PDF Document, 187.46 KB)

Government Departments: Procurement

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2015, what (a) value and (b) number of Small Business Research Initiative contracts has been awarded in 2014-15 (i) in total, (ii) by the Ministry of Defence, (iii) by the Department of Health, (iv) by NHS England, (v) by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, (vi) by the Department for Transport, (vii) by the Home Office, (viii) by the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs, (ix) directly by Innovate UK, (x) by research councils, (xi) by other parts of his Department and (xii) by other Government Departments and agencies to date.

Joseph Johnson: This information is being researched and will be placed in the Libraries of the House as soon as possible.

Manufacturing Industries: Government Assistance

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2015, what his future plans are for the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative.

Anna Soubry: The Government is reviewing all spending as a part of the 2015 Spending Review. All decisions, including decisions on future spending for the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, will be taken as a part of this work.

British Business Bank

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what live programmes and products are operated by the British Business Bank; and what programmes and products that organisation has in development.

Anna Soubry: The British Business Bank operates a number of programmes to support 3 types of finance needs: those of start up businesses; those of scale up businesses; and those for firms wishing to stay ahead. Details on the British Business Bank programmes can be found on http://british-business-bank.co.uk.

Trade Promotion

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many companies received support under the High Value Opportunities scheme in each month of the 2014-15 financial year.

Anna Soubry: In the 2014-15 financial year UK Trade and Investment supported 980 companies through the High Value Programme. Data is not recorded on a month by month basis.

Non-domestic Rates

Lucy Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to ensure that levels of business rates do not put the future of small businesses at risk.

Anna Soubry: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has committed to completing a major review of business rates by the end of 2015. Autumn Statement 2014 announced a £1bn package of measures to reduce the burden of business rates, focussed on small businesses and retailers, including:· extending the doubling of the Small Business Rate Relief until April 2016;· continuing the 2% cap on the inflation-linked increase in the business rates multiplier until April 2016; and· increasing the retail discount for shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants until April 2016

Green Investment Bank

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which firms are (a) advising the Government on the sale and (b) involved in the sale process of the Green Investment Bank; and what fees, including discretionary fees, are being paid as part of this process.

Anna Soubry: My Department is receiving financial advice on the proposed transaction from Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) and Herbert Smith Freehills are providing legal advice. UK Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) is separately receiving its own financial advice from UBS and legal advice from Slaughter & May.   The fees to be paid to these advisers are commercially confidential.

Green Investment Bank

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what objectives he has set for the sale of the Green Investment Bank.

Anna Soubry: The objective is to ensure that any sale will deliver value for money for the taxpayer and enable the Green Investment Bank to increase its impact across the green economy by broadening its investment mandate and increasing the amount and proportion of private capital mobilised.

Green Investment Bank

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of the Green Investment Bank the Government plans to sell; and what deadlines, milestones or schedules his Department has set as part of this process.

Anna Soubry: Decisions about the size of stake to be sold will depend on the outcome of discussions with potential investors and will be driven by what best achieves value for money for the UK taxpayer. Our aim is that a majority of shares in UK Green Investment Bank plc would come to be held by private investors.   On timing, we are keen to make progress but would not want to commit to a particular timetable at this stage. We need the flexibility to do a deal when we are satisfied the time and the terms are right. Timing of a sale is dependent on the outcome of discussions with potential investors. We will only proceed once satisfied we are able to achieve best value for money for the taxpayer.

Green Investment Bank

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many staff (a) from his Department or his Department's executive agencies, (b) from other Government departments and (c) who are secondees are working on the sale of the Green Investment Bank.

Anna Soubry: The project is being led by the Shareholder Executive within the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).   There is a core team of around 10 officials within BIS who work on the sale of the Green Investment Bank, amongst other duties. The team liaise with officials in other Government departments such as Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) as necessary.   There are currently no secondees on the team.

Royal Mail

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many shares in Royal Mail of what value were sold to which institutions in June 2015.

Anna Soubry: It is not market practice to disclose the names of the investors who buy shares in transactions such as an accelerated bookbuild - which was the method of sale used on this occasion.

Department for International Development

Burma: Community Relations

Paul Scully: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much funding her Department has allocated to inter-faith projects in Burma in 2015-16.

Mr Desmond Swayne: We are working with a range of partners to support peace and reconciliation in Burma. DFID is providing £600,000 through the Peace Support fund for four projects that directly aim to improve inter-communal relations and combat hatred at a community level through dialogue and understanding.

Burma: Internally Displaced People

Paul Scully: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of whether the funding needs of internally displaced people in non-government controlled Kachin state, Burma, are being fully met; how much funding is being provided to meet those needs by the Government; and what information she holds on how much funding is being provided to meet those needs by the Burmese government.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The UK is one of the largest humanitarian donors in Kachin State. Between 2012 and 2015 DFID has allocated over £17 million for humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons (IDP) in Kachin and Northern Shan States, including in non-government controlled areas. We do not have figures for how much funding for the needs of internally displaced people in Kachin state is being provided by the Burmese government. The UN appeal for humanitarian assistance across Burma is currently only 27% funded. We regularly monitor the situation in the camps, including a visit by a DFID team in June 2015 to non-government controlled areas.

Developing Countries: Abortion

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, by what criteria her Department calculated the number of unsafe abortions averted, as identified in her Department's report entitled, Prevention of Maternal Death from Unwanted Pregnancy, published in September 2012.

Grant Shapps: The number was estimated using a computer model for outcomes from reproductive health service delivery programmes. This peer-reviewed model has been extensively tested and takes account of demographic and health data for the country in which services are delivered.

Yemen: Humanitarian Aid

Edward Argar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what mechanisms her Department currently has in place for the distribution of humanitarian aid to Yemen.

Mr Desmond Swayne: On 19 June, the International Development Secretary announced an additional £40 million for the humanitarian response in Yemen, bringing the total UK contribution to £55 million for 2015. Our funds are channelled through: the Yemen Humanitarian Pooled Fund, managed by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA); United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other international organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM); and Non-Governmental Organisations such as Oxfam, Save the Children and CARE. Our support provides lifesaving assistance such as medical supplies, water, food and emergency shelter; helps treat severe acute malnutrition; and supports UN work to co-ordinate the humanitarian response.

Tunisia: Community Relations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will work with the government of Tunisia to improve inter-faith dialogue.

Mr Desmond Swayne: DFID has not supported any inter-faith dialogue projects as such in Tunisia. However, under the joint FCO-DFID Arab Partnership Participation Fund (APPF), the UK funded the Centre for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) in Tunisia to support the development of the constitution and the electoral process (£510,210 over the last two years). One component of this work involved promoting constructive dialogue between Islamists and Secularists.

Department for International Development: Consultants and Legal Opinion

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department spent on (a) legal advice and (b) consultants in 2014; which organisations were paid from that expenditure for those services;  and how much each such organisation received for each such service.

Grant Shapps: British taxpayers expect all ODA to be high quality and well-targeted. So since 2010, DFID has made value for money and transparency of UK official development assistance (ODA) a top priority. In the last 5 years, DFID has worked hard to make its systems and processes more rigorous to make sure that aid projects reach intended beneficiaries and deliver results, including introducing greater ministerial oversight and new spending controls. Business cases and delivery plans are used for all DFID projects setting out the rationale for the projects and how they will be implemented. Formal project reviews are required annually and at completion against a performance monitoring framework. These reviews assess and record that funds have been used for their intended purposes and what results have been delivered. DFID has also reduced the number of bilateral country programmes since 2010. Finally, DFID has introduced greater transparency and scrutiny of DFID’s work through setting up the aid watchdog, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, which scrutinises everything DFID does, alongside the work of the International Development Select Committee.In line with the UK Government commitments to increase transparency, DFID publishes details of spend transactions over £500 on a monthly basis. This includes expenditure at supplier level and amount for Legal and Consultancy services. This information can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/monthly-spend-over-500-in-the-department-for-international-development.

Crimes of Violence: Females

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding her Department has allocated to projects tackling violence against women and girls in each of the last three years.

Justine Greening: DFID has 109 programmes that address violence against women and girls, an increase of 63% since 2012. 19 programmes focus entirely on violence against women and girls, totalling £131 million since 2012. Addressing violence against women and girls is mainstreamed across the other 90 programmes.

Africa: Conflict Prevention

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will take steps to increase international aid for conflict prevention in (a) Democratic Republic of Congo, (b) Burundi and (c) Rwanda.

Grant Shapps: DFID is providing £80million over five years to address the causes of conflicts in Eastern DRC, Rwanda’s £64m budget is building stability and prosperity for all. DFID also works closely with FCO to deliver the £1.1million Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) in the Great Lakes. There is no bilateral programme in Burundi.  DFID regularly refresh the focus and aim of the UK Aid portfolio to ensure that aid is targeted to address those most in need.

Mediterranean Sea: Refugees

Jeff Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to address the root causes of attempted migration to Europe across the Mediterranean.

Justine Greening: Last week I announced a package of initiatives that will provide emergency aid as well as jobs and education to help to address the root causes of the migrant crisis. This includes support worth £217 million to help some 2.5 million refugees and vulnerable people in Africa, and an additional £100 million to help those who have been displaced as a result of the Syria crisis.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of her Department's contribution to progress on a peace settlement in the Middle East through its support to the Palestinian Negotiations Affairs Department.

Mr Desmond Swayne: DFID supports the Peace Process by helping build Palestinian institutions and promoting economic growth. We have previously funded legal, policy and communications expertise for the Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD).

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian effects of the blockade of Gaza.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Israeli restrictions damage the Gazan economy and living standards of ordinary people. An improved economy is not only essential for the people of Gaza, but firmly in Israel’s security interests. We have consistently called on Israel to improve movement and access into and out of Gaza.

Mediterranean Sea: Refugees

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to address the root causes of attempted migration to Europe across the Mediterranean.

Justine Greening: Last week I announced a package of initiatives that will provide emergency aid as well as jobs and education to help to address the root causes of the migrant crisis. This includes support worth £217 million to help some 2.5 million refugees and vulnerable people in Africa, and an additional £100 million to help those who have been displaced as a result of the Syria crisis.

Malawi: Overseas Aid

Carol Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what forecast her Department has made of its spending in Malawi in the next five years.

Grant Shapps: This year, the UK is delivering a £72m bilateral programme through DFID in Malawi, with significant additional support reaching Malawi through civil society, research, Global Funds and multilateral agencies. Plans for 2016/17 and beyond are subject to the spending review in Autumn 2015.

Department for Education

Teachers: Labour Turnover

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Teach First teachers in each (a) subject and (b) parliamentary constituency (i) began teaching and (ii) left the teaching profession in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 10 June 2015.The correct answer should have been:

The first table below shows the number of Teach First teachers in each subject that began teaching in each of the last five years. The number of trainees starting is increasing annually including to STEM subjects, and the geographical spread is widening. Qualified Teacher Status Subject2010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15Art30000Business Studies2421121414Citizenship2596100Design and Technology310568English160194222255302Geography1915264446History2333394753ICT1215181510Maths125172187262217MFL3345768186Music714131312Primary1881170226344Primary EYFS0001639RE1418151818Science84127187194221Unknown00000   The following table shows the number of Teach First teachers in each subject that left the teaching profession in each of the last five years. Qualified Teacher Status  Subject2010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15Art22101Business Studies109714197Citizenship1891611168Design and Technology143693English496999103345120Geography9814135313History121613206422ICT87810229Maths406688115333107MFL1412223211543Music8348164Primary528266728594Primary EYFS0000193RE912145279Science4064848425687Unknown43200   Notes: Data for those in the second table gives a summary of those who left teaching either when on, or after completing, the Teach First Leadership Development Programme. This includes all those who have completed the Teach First programme since the first cohort in 2003. The data also includes those who have left more than once – for example an individual who leaves the profession in one year, returned, and then left the profession once more – for example someone taking career breaks and/or maternity leave.   Please see detailed tables in Appendix 1 (separate excel file) for data on Teach First teachers in each parliamentary constituency that began teaching in each of the last five years as well as those that left the teaching profession in each of the last five years. 


Teach first teachers entering and leaving by PC
(Excel SpreadSheet, 55.52 KB)




Teach First teachers entering and leaving by PC
(Excel SpreadSheet, 54.31 KB)

Nick Gibb: The first table below shows the number of Teach First teachers in each subject that began teaching in each of the last five years. The number of trainees starting is increasing annually including to STEM subjects, and the geographical spread is widening. Qualified Teacher Status Subject2010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15Art30000Business Studies2421121414Citizenship2596100Design and Technology310568English160194222255302Geography1915264446History2333394753ICT1215181510Maths125172187262217MFL3345768186Music714131312Primary1881170226344Primary EYFS0001639RE1418151818Science84127187194221Unknown00000   The following table shows the number of Teach First teachers in each subject that left the teaching profession in each of the last five years. Qualified Teacher Status  Subject2010/112011/122012/132013/142014/15Art22101Business Studies109714197Citizenship1891611168Design and Technology143693English496999103345120Geography9814135313History121613206422ICT87810229Maths406688115333107MFL1412223211543Music8348164Primary528266728594Primary EYFS0000193RE912145279Science4064848425687Unknown43200   Notes: Data for those in the second table gives a summary of those who left teaching either when on, or after completing, the Teach First Leadership Development Programme. This includes all those who have completed the Teach First programme since the first cohort in 2003. The data also includes those who have left more than once – for example an individual who leaves the profession in one year, returned, and then left the profession once more – for example someone taking career breaks and/or maternity leave.   Please see detailed tables in Appendix 1 (separate excel file) for data on Teach First teachers in each parliamentary constituency that began teaching in each of the last five years as well as those that left the teaching profession in each of the last five years. 


Teach first teachers entering and leaving by PC
(Excel SpreadSheet, 55.52 KB)




Teach First teachers entering and leaving by PC
(Excel SpreadSheet, 54.31 KB)

Academies

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many academies whose funding arrangements with the Secretary of State required their teachers to have Qualified Teacher Status have applied to have this requirement removed since 27 July 2012; and how many such applications have been (a) rejected and (b) accepted.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of academies had funding arrangements with the Secretary of State requiring them to employ only teachers with Qualified Teacher Status in each year since 2009.

Edward Timpson: The Education Funding Agency has received 34 requests from schools with academy status to amend their funding agreement to enable them to employ teachers without qualified teacher status. All of these applications were accepted. 2320 academies had funding arrangements with the Secretary of State requiring them to only employ teachers with QTS since 2009. This represents 46 per cent of the 5043 academies that were open on 1 July 2015.

Radicalism

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish on her Department's website the guidance she has issued to headteachers on tackling extremism.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education published advice for schools and childcare providers on the Prevent duty on 1 July 2015 to coincide with the coming into force of the duty. The duty requires specified authorities, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.The advice is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-safeguarding-advice-for-schools-and-childcare-providersThe government also published a briefing note for schools on 1 July with regards to how social media is being used by extremist groups to encourage young people to travel to Syria and Iraq. It makes clear that every teacher should be aware of the risks posed by the online activity of extremist and terrorist groups and be vigilant of the signs of radicalisation.Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-use-of-social-media-for-online-radicalisation

Children: Day Care

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans for the funding rate review for the Government's proposal to provide 30 hours free childcare for three and four year olds to review the rate applicable for (a) all 30 hours or (b) the additional 15 hours.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The review will consider the overall cost of providing childcare places. It will inform government decisions about funding for both the existing entitlement and the extension to 30 hours.

Primary Education: Rural Areas

Edward Argar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to work with local authorities to support the expansion of over-subsidised rural primary schools.

Edward Timpson: Supporting local authorities to create school places where they are needed most is one of the Department’s top priorities. In the last Parliament we spent £5 billion on capital funding for new school places, more than double what was spent between 2007-2011. In this Parliament we have committed £7 billion in capital funding between 2015 and 2021 to help local authorities create places. Local authorities will want to consider the specific challenges facing schools in rural areas when planning new school places.

Ministry of Justice

Data Protection

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of General Data Protection Regulation on the (a) UK economy and (b) UK financial services sector.

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance his Department has issued to UK companies who will need to implement the General Data Protection Regulation.

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to bring forward legislation to enact the General Data Protection Regulation.

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what meetings his Department has had with the (a) Corporation of London and (b) FCA on the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation and possible costs to the UK financial services sector.

Dominic Raab: Under this Government's transparency policy, meetings between ministers and external organisations are published quarterly. The Ministry of Justice published an Impact Assessment on the Commission’s original proposals for a General Data Protection Regulation on the 22nd November 2012. The Council of the European Union agreed on a general approach at Justice and Home Affairs Council on June 15 2015 after making many amendments to the text. The Government is currently evaluating the impact the Council’s text would have on the UK overall. The potential effect of specific elements of the text on a range of sectors, including the financial sector, will also be explored.The Ministry of Justice has not issued any guidance to companies about the General Data Protection Regulation as the final text is still under negotiation. Once the outcome of trilogue negotiations between the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the Commission are complete, the Information Commissioner’s Office will be considering what guidance may be necessary in due course. The Ministry of Justice is currently exploring how it will need to implement the provisions in the General Data Protection Regulation requiring national legislation after the final text has been adopted. Negotiations on the Regulation remain ongoing. Once a final text is adopted, it will be a minimum of two years before it comes into force.

Child Abuse in North Wales Judicial Inquiry Review

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent information he has received on when the report of the Macur Review is due to be published.

Caroline Dinenage: Lady Justice Macur’s Review is entirely independent of Government and its timetable is a matter for her. She made clear at the outset that her Review would be thorough and that she would not draw any conclusions until she had considered all the evidence.

Ministry of Justice: Public Appointments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will place in the Library a list of all public appointments made by his Department between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Under the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies April 2012, government departments are required to publicise successful appointments.

Assaults on Police

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people were convicted of assaulting a police officer in each of the last 10 years; and what proportion of such people received a prison sentence.

Mike Penning: The number of defendants proceeded against at a magistrates' court and found guilty at all courts for offences relating to assault on a constable, under section 89 (1) of the Police Act 1996, from 2005 to 2014, in England & Wales, can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2014(Select and open “Outcomes by offence tables” and under Summary Offences (summary non motoring) find “104 Assaulting, resisting or obstructing a constable or designated officer in execution of duty”.)The custody rate of offenders sentenced to immediate custody for offences relating to assault on a constable, in England & Wales, from 2005 to 2014 can be viewed in the table. Custody rate of offenders sentenced to immediate custody for offences relating to assault on a constable , England & Wales, 2005-2014(1)(2)  2005200620072008(3)200920102011201220132014Custody rate(4)   19.717.717.316.515.915.714.012.612.813.4  (1) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.   (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.   (3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates' court for April, July and August 2008. (4) The proportion of offenders sentenced who are sentenced to immediate custody. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.  Ref: PQ 4826 These figures refer to offences of assaulting a police constable in the execution of his or her duty. More serious assaults against police officers charged under different offences are therefore not included.

Prisons: Drugs

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps he has taken to reduce offenders' access to drugs in prisons.

Andrew Selous: The Government is committed to reducing the supply of drugs into prison. The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) already deploys a comprehensive range of robust searching and security measures to detect items of contraband both at the point of entry to the prison and concealed within the prison. We do not tolerate drugs in prison and anyone caught with them will be punished and could face further prosecution. The success of the strategy is illustrated by the reduction of drug misuse in prisons, as measured by the random Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) programme, which has declined by 17.5 percentage points over the past 17 years, despite the fact that NOMS is testing for more drugs than previously. Positive rates were 7.8% in 2009/2010 and 6.9% in 2014/2015. NOMS is aware of the increase of the use of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) across the prison estate and there is a wide-ranging programme of work being undertaken to counteract NPS. This includes joint work with the Home Office on legislation to control most NPS substances and make it illegal to supply any NPS. This will allow prisons to press for the prosecution of those smuggling NPS into prisons. Additionally, work is underway to develop new drug tests to detect NPS substances, to strengthen perimeter defences, and to train drug dogs to detect NPS. We have already made it a criminal offence to throw drugs and other items over prison walls and the government's proposed new legislation will further strengthen our powers. We have also included a clause within the Serious Crime Act, which will create an offence of throwing or projecting any item over a prison perimeter so that it lands in a prison We will continue to explore new methods of preventing drugs coming into prisons such as new generation body scanners. The first body scanner has been purchased and a programme of work is underway to assess the most effective way to deploy body scanners across the estate, based on experience of their use in an operational setting. NOMS will be supported in this by the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology.

Terrorism: Tunisia

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to provide assistance to victims of the Tunisian attack on 26 June 2015 under the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme 2012.

Mike Penning: Yes. Applications can be made under the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme 2012 in relation to victims injured, or the families of those killed, in the attack. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which administers the scheme, has set up a major incident team which will process applications from those affected by this horrific event.

Young Offenders: Mental Illness

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the diagnosis is of young people in each public and private prison or young offender institution who have a mental illness; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure young people and children in such institutions diagnosed with mental health issues receive appropriate support.

Andrew Selous: The Youth Justice Board takes account of any existing mental health diagnosis in deciding where to place young people sentenced or remanded to custody. The evidence-based Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) is then used by NHS England to screen all young people for health needs, including mental health, on arrival into custody. Healthcare providers at each establishment provide a full range of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Public Appointments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will place in the Library a list of all public appointments made by his Department between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015.

David Mundell: Under the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies April 2012, government departments are required to publicise successful appointments.No public appointments were made by the Scotland Office between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015.

Department for Work and Pensions

Homelessness

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the effect on the levels of homelessness from the proposed reduction in the benefit cap to £23,000 each year; and what research was undertaken to calculate this estimate.

Justin Tomlinson: We will publish a full Impact Assessment in due course.

Employment: Torbay

Kevin Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support claimants of benefits find employment in Torbay.

Priti Patel: Jobcentre Plus work coaches are delivering a personalised service to best meet the needs of the claimant and the local labour market. The flexible model of support available through the Jobcentre Plus offer includes, Sector Based Work Academies, New Enterprise Allowance, Work Experience and access to skills provision. In addition, the Work Programme offers tailored support to those people who are at risk of becoming long-term unemployed.

Income Support: Lone Parents

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the number of income support lone parent claimants who have a subsequent child by the same father.

Priti Patel: The information requested is not available.

State Retirement Pensions

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people (a) in the UK and (b) resident in overseas countries over the age of 100 received the state pension; and how many such people lived in each such overseas country.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not available.

Pensioners: ICT

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps he has taken to assist pensioners in the use of communication technology.

Justin Tomlinson: Currently, DWP provide access to State Pension (Statements and Claim) through telephony, digital and postal methods. For customers who use State Pension Online and State Pension Statement there is a dedicated DWP online helpdesk which is available to provide support to anyone who needs it to complete their claim or enquiry online. The Department is aware that not everyone who uses its services will have access to or be able to use digital services independently. As the Department builds more digital services we will provide support to access them, where necessary, in the appropriate non-digital way such as over the phone or face to face.The Department also works closely with partners in a number of ways to increase the digital skills of elderly people or to better understand the barriers. This includes a network of Partner Support Managers, based in DWP Work Services Districts, who work closely with partners in the community supporting the most disadvantaged or vulnerable customers to access the full range of DWP services. The types of activities include digital demonstrations of how to utilise Carer’s On-line or State Pension On-Line.DWP is a member of the Age Action Alliance. The work of the Alliance is taken forward through themed working groups. One of these groups leads on digital inclusion, working in partnership with a range of accessibility and technology based companies and organisations. Barclays is one such member and through its Digital Eagles Programme provides practical and helpful advice on all online issues. Members also include Local Authorities who provide digital training and practical support for older people.DWP has also been undertaking research with local customer representative organisations to understand the barriers to older people using the digital State Pension Online service to claim their State Pension. Additionally DWP has consulted with customer representative organisations on plans to introduce digital self-service channels for older people wanting to trace lost pensions.

Work Capability Assessments

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of work capability assessments have found the claimant to be fit for work in each year since 2008.

Priti Patel: The available information in respect of work capability assessments since 2008 is published, and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-september-2014.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of families affected by the benefit cap placed in (a) temporary accommodation by a local authority and (b) other accommodation have moved into work.

Justin Tomlinson: Data on the proportion of families affected by the benefit cap placed in (a) temporary accommodation by a local authority who have moved into work is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Data on capped households in (b) other accommodation by family type, housing type and reason for moving off the benefit cap can be found on Stat-Xplore, the Department’s online interactive tabulation tool, which can be accessed at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many of the households affected by the household benefit cap are in (a) social housing, (b) temporary and emergency accommodation and (c) private tenancies (i) in the UK and (ii) in each region of the UK.

Justin Tomlinson: Data on the number of households affected by the benefit cap that are in (a) social housing and (c) private tenancies in (i) the UK and (ii) in each region in the UK can be found on Stat-Xplore, the Department’s online interactive tabulation tool, which can be accessed here: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.Data on the number of households affected by the benefit cap in (b) temporary and emergency accommodation is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Personal Independence Payment

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what targets for call answering times he has set for his Department's telephone line for use by disability living allowance claimants switching to personal independence payments.

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what preparations his Department has made for changes in the number of telephone calls to the Department when disability living allowance claimants are transferred to personal independence payments.

Justin Tomlinson: DWP Operations and the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Programme have developed detailed profiles for the anticipated increase in call volumes as full PIP Rollout progresses. Resource plans have been developed to manage the increase.Our current performance management processes will support the ongoing review of profiles throughout rollout and allow us to adapt our plans as and when necessary.Current departmental internal performance measures will continue to be applied to these calls and monitored in the same way as they are currently.

Employment and Support Allowance: Preston

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employment and support allowance applicants in Preston had to travel to medical assessments in (a) Preston, (b) South Ribble, (c) Chorley, (d) other local authorities in Lancashire, (e) Merseyside and (f) Greater Manchester in 2014; which venues each such applicant attended; and how many such applicants attended each such venue.

Priti Patel: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Personal Independence Payment: Preston

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal independence payments applicants in Preston had to travel to medical assessments in (a) Preston, (b) South Ribble, (c) Chorley, (d) other local authorities in Lancashire, (e) Merseyside and (f) Greater Manchester in 2014; which venues each such applicant attended; and how many such applicants attended each such venue.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not readily available at local authority level and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to paragraph 12 of the report of the Social Security Advisory Committee on The Universal Credit (Waiting Days) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015 No. 1362), published June 2015, what the evidential basis is for the statement that the policy is focused on those coming to Universal Credit from relatively higher-income employment.

Priti Patel: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Budgeting Loans

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications were made for budgeting loans in each month from June 2014.

Justin Tomlinson: Table 1 shows the number of Budgeting Loan applications received monthly by the Department for Work and Pensions between June 2014 and May 2015. Table 1: Budgeting Loan Applications, June 2014 to May 2015MonthApplications ReceivedJun-14107,400Jul-14111,700Aug-1485,000Sep-14107,900Oct-14140,500Nov-14151,500Dec-14108,600Jan-1578,900Feb-1581,200Mar-1592,400Apr-15100,100May-1589,500  Notes· These figures do not include applications which were processed clerically and have not been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System. · All figures are rounded to the nearest 100.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Universal Credit advances have been paid out since April 2013.

Priti Patel: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Budgeting Loans

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for budgeting loans were approved in each month from June 2014.

Justin Tomlinson: Table 1 shows the number of Budgeting Loan awards made monthly by the Department for Work and Pensions between June 2014 and May 2015. Table 1: Budgeting Loan Awards, June 2014 to May 2015MonthInitial AwardsJun-1479,000Jul-1492,200Aug-1463,300Sep-1474,600Oct-14109,300Nov-14112,800Dec-14116,200Jan-1552,900Feb-1565,800Mar-1577,200Apr-1576,900May-1574,700  Notes· These figures do not include applications which were processed clerically and have not been entered on to the Social Fund Computer System. · These figures do not include awards made after review, reconsideration or appeal following an initial refusal. · These figures should not be compared directly with the number of applications received by the Department in these months. Some applications are withdrawn before a decision is made. In addition, cases take an average of 7 working days to be processed so an application and corresponding award may be recorded in different months. · All figures are rounded to the nearest 100.

Department for Work and Pensions: Pay

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2015 to Question 2647, how many of the outsourced staff working for his Department's contractors and their service partners who are paid at or below the Living Wage are paid (a) the Living Wage and (b) less than the Living Wage.

Justin Tomlinson: All outsourced staff in our London locations are paid the Living Wage. We hope to replicate this across the country.

Industrial Health and Safety: Self-employed

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations he has received on the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (General Duties of Self-Employed Persons) (Prescribed Undertakings) Regulations 2015.

Justin Tomlinson: Between the 07 July and 31 August 2014 the Health and Safety Executive consulted on the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (General Duties of self-employed persons) (Prescribed Undertakings) Regulations 2015. The published responses to this consultation can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd273-responses.pdf

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dogs: Conservation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Kennel Club on the preservation of rare breeds.

George Eustice: We have had no such discussions with the Kennel Club since this Government took office.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Public Appointments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will place in the Library a list of all public appointments made by her Department between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015.

George Eustice: Under the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies April 2012, government departments are required to publicise successful appointments.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will ensure that the Basic Payment Scheme is in operation by December 2015.

George Eustice: The Basic Payment Scheme came into effect from 1 January 2015 and the Rural Payments Agency has said it will be making full payments as early as possible in the payment window, which runs from December to June.

Pet Travel Scheme

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to tackle abuse of the Pet Travel scheme.

George Eustice: We take evidence of the illegal importation of pets very seriously. The action we are taking to tackle this trade is focused on three areas.   Firstly, responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born, and we will continue to raise instances of abuse of the pet travel scheme with the relevant countries.   Secondly, we are maintaining effective border controls. The UK carries out more checks on pets at the border than most other EU Member States and stringent penalties are in place where people are found to be breaking the rules.   Thirdly, the illegal trade is driven by demand for cheap, pedigree puppies and we have published guidance on the steps pet owners can take to avoid buying an illegally imported pet. https://www.gov.uk/buying-a-cat-or-dog   Recent changes to the EU pet travel scheme introduced measures designed to improve the security of the regime and the traceability of the pet passport. A new minimum age of 12 weeks for rabies vaccination has also been introduced, which means that pet animals from EU countries must be at least 15 weeks old to enter the UK.

Agriculture: Apprentices

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings her Department has had with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on trebling the the number of apprenticeships in the food, farming and agri-tech sector.

George Eustice: Officials in Defra and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills meet regularly to discuss how to treble the number of apprenticeships in food, farming and agri-tech. We will continue to work closely with other government departments and the food and farming sector to achieve the Government’s commitment on apprenticeships.

Agriculture: Apprentices

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to achieve the commitment to treble the number of apprenticeships in the food, farming and agri-tech sector.

George Eustice: Defra is working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to achieve the Government’s commitment to treble the number of apprenticeships in food, farming and agri-tech. This will be an important part of the Government’s overall programme to increase apprenticeships during this Parliament.

Farms: Tenants

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she last met the Tenant Farmer's Association to discuss the future of Farm Business Tenancies.

George Eustice: I met the Tenant Farmers Association on the 23rd June 2015.

Farms: Tenants

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to explore mechanisms for encouraging longer lengths of term on farm business tenancies.

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she plans to include the need for longer term farm business tenancies in the Government's proposed long-term economic plan for food and farming.

George Eustice: The Government recognises that longer tenancies for some farm businesses are important to provide tenants with security to invest and grow their businesses. Flexibility to agree contracts that suit a range of business needs is also important to enable a diverse farming sector. We are working closely with industry to develop policy priorities for a 25-year Food and Farming Plan. Agricultural tenancies and other farming business models will be considered as part of these discussions to help deliver a competitive farming sector in future.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Right to Buy Scheme

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposed extension of the right-to-buy for housing association tenants on the ability of housing associations to raise funds on capital markets.

Brandon Lewis: Details will be set out when the Housing Bill is published.

Derelict Land

Maria Caulfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with developers to encourage them to build on brownfield sites; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: We are committed to ensuring that brownfield land is used as much as possible for new development and want to encourage developers to build homes on brownfield land. Ministers, including the my rt. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, regularly hold meetings with developers to discuss these issues. To help facilitate housing on brownfield land we will require local authorities to have a register of what is available, and ensure that 90 per cent of suitable brownfield sites have planning permission for housing by 2020. This will provide more certainty for developers and encourage investment in local areas. The Government is also committed to releasing further surplus public sector land to support the delivery of new homes. In doing so we will be transparent about the sites that are to be released so that developers can clearly identify the opportunities that these sites will provide.

Right to Buy Scheme

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of properties purchased under the right-to-buy scheme which are now in the private rental sector.

Brandon Lewis: The Government does not monitor the resale of these properties. Where a Right to Buy owner wishes to sell their home within the first 5 years of purchasing it, they are obliged to inform their former landlord and pay back a proportion of the discount. Otherwise, former social tenants who have bought their homes under Right to Buy have the same rights and freedoms as any other homeowner.

Derelict Land

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to implement new planning provisions on redevelopment of brownfield sites.

Brandon Lewis: We are committed to ensuring that brownfield land is used as much as possible for new development. We will require local authorities to have a register of what is available, and ensure that 90 per cent of suitable brownfield sites have planning permission for housing by 2020. We will provide further support by creating a Fund to unlock homes on brownfield land for additional housing. We will continue to support the regeneration of brownfield land through a range of measures, including £200 million to help create Housing Zones outside London, and in addition releasing enough public sector land for over 150,000 homes by 2020.

Roads: Litter

Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the cost was to local authorities in England of (a) collecting and (b) disposing of road sweepings in the latest period for which figures are available.

Mr Marcus Jones: Data on the expenditure by local authorities on Street cleansing (not chargeable to Highways) is published online in the Revenue Outturn Cultural, Environmental, Regulatory and Planning Services (RO5), which is available at the following link:http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing

Wind Power: Planning Permission

Nigel Huddleston: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether the new considerations on proposed wind energy developments issued on 18 June 2015 apply to local planning authorities that (a) do not have local plans and (b) have local plans that do not contain policies relating to renewable energy.

James Wharton: The new considerations set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 18 June, HCWS42, apply to all wind farm applications, including single turbine applications and, subject to a transitional provision, should be taken into account by all local planning authorities in relevant planning decisions. The transitional provision relates to where a valid planning application for a wind energy development had already been submitted to a local planning authority when the statement was made and the development plan does not identify suitable sites. In such instances, local planning authorities can find the proposal acceptable if, following consultation, they are satisfied it has addressed the planning impacts identified by affected local communities and therefore has their backing.

Affordable Housing: West Yorkshire

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of affordable homes that will be (a) started and (b) completed in (i) Leeds North West constituency and (ii) West Yorkshire in the next year.

Brandon Lewis: The Department does not forecast affordable housing delivery by locality by year. This Government is committed to deliver 275,000 affordable homes in England across 2015-20.

Housing: Foreign Nationals

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will estimate how many new properties have been sold to foreign investors in (a) Leeds North West constituency, (b) Leeds and (c) the UK in the last year.

Brandon Lewis: This information is not available centrally.

Housing Completions

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the housing completion rates in (a) England, (b) West Yorkshire, (c) Leeds and (d) Leeds North West constituency was in the last five years.

Brandon Lewis: Statistics on house building completions in England, West Yorkshire and in each local authority district, including Leeds, are published in the Department's live tables 253 (annual) and 253a (quarterly), which are available at the following link: http://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-house-building These figures exclude other sources of housing supply such as conversions. These statistics are not available by parliamentary constituency.

Communities and Local Government: Freedom of Information

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions his Department applied the exemption in section 38(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (disclosure likely to endanger the physical or mental health of any individual) in wholly or partly refusing a freedom of information request in each of the last five years.

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what instructions have been given to staff in his Department dealing with freedom of information requests on the application of Freedom of Information Act Awareness Guidance No. 19, issued by the Information Commissioner's Office, in considering whether to apply the exemptions in section 38 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions his Department applied the exemption in section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (disclosure likely to endanger the safety of any individual) in wholly or partly refusing a freedom of information request in each of the last five years.

Mr Mark Francois: No guidance has been issued to staff on the application of Freedom of Information Act Awareness Guidance No.19, issued by the Information Commissioner's Office, about the application of section 38 of the Act. However, the Ministry of Justice has published its own guidance on the use of this exemption. This is available here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/information-access-rights/foi-guidance-for-practitioners/exemptions-guidance. Statistics on the use of Freedom of Information exemptions are published by the Ministry of Justice (Table 10 of annual reports). They are available here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.  These statistics provide the number of times section 38 as a whole has been used by each government department. More detailed figures for the constituent parts of section 38 are not readily available because our systems are not designed to provide a more detailed breakdown than is required for the published statistics.

Fires: Older People

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of elderly people involved in domestic fires.

Mr Mark Francois: The Department’s Fire Kills campaign, run in close partnership with fire and rescue authorities, promotes a range of fire safety messages to the public and especially to those most vulnerable to fire, including older people. Although accidental fire deaths in the home in 2013/14 were at an historic low level, over half of fatalities were aged 65 or over.Recent campaigns have targeted older people, as well as encouraged others to look out for the safety of older neighbours, friends and family. The Department continues to explore with relevant agencies how to expand this element of the Fire Kills programme.We very much welcome the Chief Fire Officers’ Association current work with NHS England and on behalf of fire and rescue authorities in England which is designed to improve the availability of data about those aged 65 and over and support a more targeted local approach.

Fires: Electrical Safety

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many fires were caused by an electrical source in the last 12 months; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of such fires.

Mr Mark Francois: In 2013/14, fire and rescue authorities in England attended around 28,600 fires which were caused by an electrical source (including 8,100 which were cooking related). Around 60 per cent of these fires were in residential premises.The Department’s Fire Kills campaign, run in close partnership with fire and rescue authorities in England, promotes a range of domestic fire safety messages designed to ensure householders take appropriate action to prevent accidental fires and understand how best they can protect themselves and their families.Fire Kills and Electrical Safety First have a longstanding and close partnership to promote electrical fire safety messages, including through the annual Electrical Fire Safety Week, which runs in November each year.The Department makes a range of fire safety risk assessment guidance available to those responsible for fire safety in non-domestic premises.

Affordable Housing

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June 2015 to Question 3462, what steps his Department is taking to increase the supply of affordable social housing; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: Holding answer received on 07 July 2015



We will ensure 275,000 new affordable homes are provided between 2015 and 2020. This means we will build more new affordable homes than during any equivalent period in the last twenty years. The Government’s 2011- 2015 Affordable Homes Programme exceeded expectations, delivering nearly 186,000 affordable homes since April 2011, 16,000 more than originally planned. More council housing has been built since 2010 than in the previous 13 years.

Help to Buy Scheme: Cambridgeshire

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the average deposit required for shared ownership applications made through the Help to Buy scheme was in (a) Cambridge and (b) Cambridgeshire in each of the last five years.

Brandon Lewis: The Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme cannot be used for shared ownership purchases.

Help to Buy Scheme

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of shared ownership applications made through the Help to Buy scheme have required a deposit of more than five per cent.

Brandon Lewis: The Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme cannot be used for shared ownership purchases.

Public Houses

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will apply the restrictions on the conversion and demolition of pubs which are assets of community value to all pubs.

Brandon Lewis: While we have removed change of use permitted development rights for pubs which are listed as Assets of Community Value, we would not want to impose unnecessary regulation where pubs are not viable or valued. This would not be proportionate and would add bureaucracy, cost and delay for business. Our current approach provides the right balance between protecting valued community pubs, but avoiding blanket regulation which would lead to more empty and boarded up buildings.

Wales Office

Electorate: Wales

Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many people of voting age there were in each local authority area in Wales (a) in each of the last 10 years and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available.

Stephen Crabb: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes mid-year estimates of population for Wales. Estimates of the numbers of people aged 18 and above in each local authority area in Wales over the last ten years is provided below. The latest available data, for mid-2014, was published on 25 June 2015.  2005200620072008200920102011201220132014Isle of Anglesey54574549985556155989561455621556398564475646356533Gwynedd94601952329564396047966099740997845983979831698583Conwy89539902499116891946924299268193382936349404894564Denbighshire73666737877446074741746647448274395747777514475337Flintshire116139116783117566118462119242119521120031120348121016121644Wrexham101060102025102897103880104722105379106015106615107020107275Powys102428103391104555105591106272106464106868107174107236107516Ceredigion61943619446201361715615266231362523634086341662875Pembrokeshire90963920859362495210959839671397509980219837899000Carmarthenshire139986141562143239144403145078145535146347146779147313147829Swansea182568184058185708187271188718190590191909192893193324194267Neath Port Talbot108125109003109786110495110769111179111671112032112063112590Bridgend103141104459106225107569108552109481110509110834111450112178Vale of Glamorgan9452795475966519765898421988249944399722100113100662Cardiff253146256018260051263894268034271305274592276824279269281207Rhondda Cynon Taf181948182897183434183915184268184331184278185566186077186911Merthyr Tydfil43193436524425144863454174588846297464394651346587Caerphilly132422133672135127136515137482138485139249139761140263141099Blaenau Gwent53561540855439154738550605525655476556605571655722Torfaen69764700847044470753711047111771371717677198072248Monmouthshire68886695577021070858715117207172667731447374574234Newport106160107281108221109459110591111628112550112919113338113566

HM Treasury

Intelligence Services: Finance

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to change the budget of the Single Intelligence Account in 2015-16.

Greg Hands: The budget for the SIA in 2015-16 was set at the Spending Review of 2013. In November 2014, in his response to the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby, the Prime Minister announced an additional £130m over two years to address the increased threat of terrorism, including new funding to enhance our ability to monitor and disrupt self-starting terrorists.

Non-domestic Rates

Mr Clive Betts: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when all challenges to the 2010 Rating List for England and Wales will be finally resolved.

Mr David Gauke: The Valuation Office Agency will endeavour to clear these appeals as quickly as possible. It will look to prioritise the clearance of appeals, as it always does, to support businesses in hardship.

Companies: Ownership

Mr Gavin Shuker: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the level of take-up of public registers of beneficial ownership in the UK's Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies; and what steps he is taking to persuade such areas to adopt the UK's standard for transparency of company ownership.

Mr David Gauke: International standards on anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing, including transparency of legal persons, are set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) of which the UK is a leading member. The Caribbean Overseas Territories (OTs) are members of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and as such have signed up to implement the FATF standards. Similarly, the Crown Dependencies (CDs) are members of MONEYVAL, the equivalent organisation for Europe. The OTs and CDs are also subject to mutual evaluations of their AML/CTF regimes through these bodies. The UK Government continues to engage actively with the OTs and CDs to encourage them to make improvements to their AML and CTF regimes in line with the international standards and the UK’s approach.   More specifically, the Government expects each of the OTs with a financial centre to set out timetables for implementing central registries or similarly effective systems by November 2015. The Minister for the Overseas Territories and I wrote to the Leaders of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, which already has a central register, in March stressing the importance of adhering to their commitment to help combat tax evasion.  Finally, The Government welcomes the commitment already made by the Government of Gibraltar to implement the EU Fourth Money Laundering Directive which includes a central register of company beneficial ownership.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2015 to Question 603, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the UK supply chain benefits from investment in the offshore wind industry.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government is working together with the Offshore Wind Industry to build a competitive and innovative UK supply chain that delivers and sustains jobs, exports and economic benefit for the UK.Officials are working with the Developers, who were successful in the first Contract for Difference (CFD) allocation round, on the implementation of their Supply Chain Plan and to boost UK content.

Renewable Energy: Expenditure

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much the Government has spent in each renewable energy sector in each of the last five years.

Andrea Leadsom: The UK continues to make progress on renewable energy in electricity, heat and transport. The cost of policies over the last five years (2009/10-2013/14) averaged at £2,396m per annum (see table 1 below). Table 1: Policy costs by sector over time (£m)*Sector 2009/102010/112011/122012/132013/14Electricity**£1,120£1,300£1,609£2,498£3,290Heat  £2£27£52Transport£352£453£538£345£398Total£1,471£1,752£2,148£2,869£3,740*in millions of nominal GBP. Discrepancies due to rounding.**this information is publicly available – sources are set out below. Figures for 14/15 not available yet. There was no spend between 2009/10 to 2013/14 on Contracts for Difference.This information was taken from publicly available sources: for electricity, by multiplying ‘total obligation (ROCs) and ‘buy-out’ price (£ per ROC) for the Renewables Obligation spend: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/renewables-obligation-buy-out-fund-2013-14;https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2013/10/buy-out_fund_redistribution_12-13.pdf;https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/renewables-obligation-buy-out-fund-2011-12;https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/renewables-obligation-late-payment-fund-2010-2011;https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/renewables-obligation-annual-report-2009-2010;Directly from each annual report for Feed-in-Tariffs spend:https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/feed-tariff-fit-scheme/feed-tariff-reports/annual-reports;For heat, directly from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report-and-accounts-2013-to-2014;For transport, adjusted using the GDP deflator:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-transport-fuel-obligation-annual-report-2013-to-2014;https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/307437/impact-assessment-pir.pdf;http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/specific/economy/national-accounts/changes-to-national-accounts/index.html.

Wind Power: Employment

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate her Department has made of the number of jobs in (a) construction and (b) operation that may be lost following the ending of onshore wind subsidy.

Andrea Leadsom: There were an estimated 19,000 people employed in the onshore wind sector in 2013, including in the supply chain. [1] We currently have enough projects in the pipeline to meet our 2020 renewable electricity objective of between 11-13GW of onshore wind capacity while remaining within the limits of what is affordable. This pipeline of projects will deliver new jobs across the UK.[1] The Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy: Report for 2010 to 2013 (March 2013): https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416240/bis-15-206-size-and-performance-of-uk-low-carbon-economy.pdf

Carbon Sequestration: Trees

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the importance of trees and tree planting to achieving carbon capture.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 06 July 2015



Forests play an important part in mitigating climate change (as well as in adapting to its impacts). Domestically, forestland is a net sink in the UK, removing 17 Mtonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2013) and the amount of carbon stored in UK trees increased from 1990-2013. Forestry inventory projections indicate an increasing trend in net removals by UK forests and then a decline towards mid-century as forests mature (in mature forests carbon uptake is reduced) and more trees are harvested. Nonetheless, forests will remain a net sink in the UK, at least beyond the middle of the century.Forestry policy is devolved, and all four countries have established policies for woodland creation, co-financed through the EU Rural Development Program. The revised UK Forestry Standard, published in November 2011 provides that ‘forest management should contribute to climate change mitigation over the long term through the net capture and storage of carbon in the forest ecosystem and in wood products’. The Committee on Climate Change has estimated that by 2030 an additional 1 megaton of carbon dioxide a year could be abated through afforestation activities.Internationally, deforestation causes 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reaching the goals of the New York Declaration on Forests – ending forest loss by 2030 and restoring 350 million hectares – is estimated to reduce between 4.5 and 8.8 billion tonnes of CO2 per year in 2030. Over 1 billion poor people depend on forests for their livelihoods, they provide essential ecosystem services and support up to 80 per cent of terrestrial biodiversity. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has taken a number of steps to mitigate forests emissions and enhance sequestration. In the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2013-2020), all countries with emissions reductions commitments (including the European Union) are required to account for all forest related emissions and removals, and are therefore incentivised to sustainably manage their forests.For developing countries, the UNFCCC has established ‘REDD+’ as a mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation and promote the conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks by rewarding countries who protect their forests with a payment based on verified emissions reductions. The UK’s £3.87 billion International Climate Fund supports developing countries address deforestation, including programmes which support REDD+, governance and market reforms, curbing illegal and unsustainable use of forest resources, and investments in sustainable forestry, agriculture and land management.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many installations of (a) solar thermal, (b) ground source heat pumps, (c) biomass and (d) air source heat pumps took place under the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive in 2014-15; and what forecasts her Department had made of the number of such installations in that period.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department publishes monthly statistics for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/renewable-heat-incentive-statistics. Table 2.9 has figures relevant to this question.The following figures are from April 2014 to May 2015, and show the number of installations accredited under the domestic RHI:a) Solar thermal - 6,372b) Ground-source heat pumps - 4,684c) Biomass - 8,547d) Air-source heat pumps - 15,021In December 2013, DECC published an assessment of the total installations of renewable heating measures in 2015/16. Deployment was expected to be between 21,350 and 44,930.Further details are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263581/Impact_Assessment_RHI_Tariff_Review_Extensions_and_Budget_Management_Dec_2013.pdf.

Wind Power: Scotland

Callum McCaig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department is taking to develop the offshore wind industry in Scotland.

Andrea Leadsom: The UK is open for business.The UK is a leading destination for investment in offshore wind.We have put in place a long term policy framework that gives certainty to developers to invest in offshore windfarms. Neart na Gaoithe, a project off the coast of Scotland, was awarded a Contract for Difference (CFD) in the first allocation round.Officials are working with this Developer on the implementation of their Supply Chain Plan and to boost UK content.

Electricity Generation

Callum McCaig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether she plans to hold the next round of Contract for Difference auctions before the end of 2015.

Andrea Leadsom: We will be confirming our plans for future CFD allocation rounds in due course. The CFD scheme will be the primary instrument for ensuring cost effective decarbonisation of the power sector and we recognise the need to give industry more visibility of our approach.

Wind Power: Subsidies

Callum McCaig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on jobs and the supply chain of the closure of the Renewables Obligation for onshore wind.

Andrea Leadsom: There were an estimated 19,000 people employed in the onshore wind sector in 2013, including in the supply chain.[1] We currently have enough projects in the pipeline to meet our 2020 renewable electricity objective of between 11-13GW of onshore wind capacity while remaining within the limits of what is affordable. This pipeline of projects will deliver new jobs across the UK.[1] The Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy: Report for 2010 to 2013 (March 2013): https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416240/bis-15-206-size-and-performance-of-uk-low-carbon-economy.pdf.

Wind Power: Subsidies

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the number of jobs that will be lost as a result of the closure of the subsidy scheme for new onshore wind farms.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 06 July 2015



There were an estimated 19,000 people employed in the onshore wind sector in 2013, including in the supply chain. [1] We now have enough onshore wind in the pipeline, including projects that have planning permission, to meet our 2020 renewable electricity objective of between 11-13GW of electricity from onshore while remaining within the limits of what is affordable. This pipeline of projects will deliver new jobs across the UK. [1] The Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy: Report for 2010 to 2013 (March 2015) BIS: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416240/bis-15-206-size-and-performance-of-uk-low-carbon-economy.pdf

Wind Power: Scotland

Callum McCaig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with investors who have sunk costs in the onshore wind pipeline under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) scheme.

Andrea Leadsom: We have extensive contacts with onshore wind developers and investors and have received a range of information on investment in projects in the onshore wind pipeline, including projects in Scotland.We will be engaging with developers, investors and stakeholders in the coming weeks to consider how best to implement the onshore wind manifesto commitment and will consider carefully the level of investment that is likely to be brought forward under the proposals announced by my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 18 June.

Electricity Generation

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when she plans to make a further announcement about Contracts for Difference; and whether she plans for onshore wind developments to be able to qualify for such contracts.

Andrea Leadsom: We will be confirming our plans for future competitive CFD allocation rounds in due course and are considering how we use the tools available under the CFD to implement the manifesto commitment to end new subsidies for onshore wind.

Fuel Poverty: Mobile Homes

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to tackle fuel poverty of park home residents through the (a) Energy Company Obligation and (b) Warm Homes Discount.

Andrea Leadsom: The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a statutory obligation placed by Government on the largest energy suppliers requiring them to promote and install energy efficiency measures in domestic properties. This includes park homes. DECC statistics show that 257 park homes have benefited from ECO measures up to 31 March 2015). These statistics are available in full here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/green-deal-energy-company-obligation-eco-and-insulation-levels-in-great-britain-quarterly-report-to-march-2015In order to be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, customers must be named on an energy bill with a participating supplier. We recognise that some park home residents will not have such a relationship with a supplier. For this reason, the Government has been encouraging energy suppliers to consider providing assistance to park home residents through the Industry Initiatives elements of the scheme.

Fossil Fuels: Licensing

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when her Department plans to publish the results of the 14th onshore oil and gas licensing round.

Andrea Leadsom: Applications made for onshore licences under the 14th Onshore Licensing Round are currently under consideration. The next step will be the publication of a consultation on the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and the Oil and Gas Authority aims to announce awards later in the year.

Fracking: Nuclear Power Stations

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what (a) seismological, (b) geological and (c) other assessments have been made of the effect of fracking on the safety of nuclear facilities at Salwick and Heysham.

Andrea Leadsom: No specific studies have been carried out on the effect of fracking on the safety of nuclear facilities at Salwick and Heysham but a study was conducted in 2011/12 and consulted upon, which lead to the introduction of a “traffic light” regime for hydraulic fracturing activities, which will ensure that operations are quickly halted and reviewed if unusual levels of seismic activity are observed:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/48330/5055-preese-hall-shale-gas-fracturing-review-and-recomm.pdf.The level of seismicity at which operations are halted has been set at a precautionary extremely low level in order that events that could be felt at the surface are avoided.

Carbon Sequestration

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of how many GW of carbon capture and storage capacity will be installed in the UK by (a) 2020, (b) 2025 and (c) 2030.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Carbon Sequestration

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much the Government has spent to support carbon capture and storage technology in each year since 2010-11.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Carbon Sequestration

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent steps she has taken to encourage co-operation between EU countries on the development of carbon capture and storage technology.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Carbon Sequestration

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent steps her Department has taken to support the development of carbon capture and storage for industrial processes and manufacturing.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will make it her policy to press the EU to adopt a target of 50 per cent emissions reductions by 2030.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government is committed to securing an ambitious, legally binding, global deal on climate change at COP21 in Paris, which includes greenhouse gas reduction targets from all countries that together keep the global goal of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees within reach, a regular review of targets and a global long term goal, and a set of rules that ensure transparency and accountability of commitments and allows the world to track progress.In March 2015, the EU and its Member States submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) ahead of COP21, committing to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 relative to 1990 levels. In the context of securing an ambitious deal in Paris, the UK remains open to the EU raising its target beyond 40% if the right conditions emerge.The Government is working with others across the EU, and more broadly internationally, at all levels, to secure the ambitious global agreement we want.

Cabinet Office

Devolution

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will place in the Library the unredacted minutes of the 15 committee meetings chaired by the then Lord Chancellor that met between May and July 1997 to discuss legislation on the devolution of power to Scotland, Wales and the English regions.

Mr Oliver Letwin: In line with long-established convention, the Government does not generally publish information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet and its committees.

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Sports: Disability

Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding his Department or its agencies have provided for facilities for (a) wheelchair basketball, (b) blind cricket, (c) deaf cricket, (d) wheelchair tennis, (e) wheelchair rugby and (f) wheelchair football since 2012.

Tracey Crouch: Government remains committed to supporting disabled people to realise their potential in sport. Since 2012 Sport England has made disability sport a key focus of its strategy and the National Governing Bodies of Sport have specific targets for increasing the number of people with disabilities who play their sport. Sport England is currently investing over £171 million to make sport a practical and attractive lifestyle choice for disabled people and to get more disabled people playing sport.Table A: Investment in disability sport-specific facilitiesSportSport England investment in disability sport-specific facilities since 2012Wheelchair basketball£79,314*Blind cricket and deaf cricket£241,540Wheelchair tennis£150,000Wheelchair rugby£228,968Wheelchair football£179,114 *Includes £30,000 award to GB Wheelchair Basketball Association (GBWBA) in 2013 for new wheelchairs Please note that the figures in Table A only includes awards for projects which have a stated disability sport focus. Facilities like sports halls can be used for disability sports like the ones listed in Table A. Since 2012, Sport England has invested £39.8 million in 58 such sports hall projects. As part of GBWBA’s Whole Sport Plan investment for 2013-17, Sport England invested £154,833 in the University of Worcester Disabled Athlete Accommodation project. Across Sport England’s National Centres for Sport, at least 20 per cent of accommodation provided has been designed specifically with disability access requirements in mind.  Sport England is also investing £26,000 in a research project in partnership with GBWBA to look at ways to increase the quality of surfaces used for wheelchair sports.

Boxing

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to encourage take-up of amateur boxing.

Tracey Crouch: This Government through Sport England is investing £5.8 million in England Boxing between 2013-17 to get more people boxing regularly and to support talented young boxers.In addition, since 2010, Sport England has invested around £7.8 million of National Lottery money in 142 boxing projects across the country.

Games: Fees and Charges

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what guidelines his Department has issued on charging for entry into television and radio competitions by use of premium text, phone line or other means to ensure that such competitions are fair and honest; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Edward Vaizey: On 1 July Ofcom introduced a new system affecting telephone charging for service numbers commencing -084, -087, -09 and -118. The changes are intended to make the cost of using these services clearer and companies running competitions using such numbers will need to comply. In addition, freephone numbers commencing -0800 or -0808 will be made free for consumers to call from mobiles. Ofcom’s new system is called ‘UK Calling’ and guidance for consumers and businesses can be accessed via the website:http://www.ukcalling.info/

Football

Mr David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Premier League to discuss that body's financial commitment to grassroots football.

Tracey Crouch: I met with the Chief Executive of the Premier League to discuss this, and other topics on the 20th May. Further discussions are planned, and together we will work in partnership to ensure that funding for grassroots football remains strong.

Sports: Facilities

Mr David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent meetings he has had with local authority representatives to discuss the funding of sporting facilities.

Tracey Crouch: While there have been no recent meetings, I am always open to engaging with local authority representatives on this important subject. Local authorities have a very important role in ensuring people from all backgrounds are able to participate in sport. They own or manage a large amount of sporting infrastructure in the country and have a responsibility to make sure that facilities and infrastructure are available and accessible. The Government, through Sport England, works closely with a wide range of local authorities, providing expert advice and funding to sustain and increase the number of people playing sport regularly.

Department of Health

Social Services

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to impose a time limit for local councils to undertake care and support assessments following a referral.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on the length of time a care and support assessment following a referral should take.

Alistair Burt: The Government does not intend to impose such a time limit. The Care Act 2014 places a duty on local authorities to carry out a needs assessment on any adult with an appearance of having care and support needs, and any carer with the need for support. Local authorities are under a general duty to carry out their functions in a timely manner, and this includes when they should start an assessment following initial contact from the adult or after a referral.   Assessments can take different periods of time to undertake depending on the needs of the adult and their ability to be involved in the assessment. To ensure that assessments are carried out in a manner that is suitable to the adult, the Care and Support (Assessment) Regulations 2014 requires all assessments to be carried out in in an appropriate and proportionate manner and have regard to:   (a) the wishes and preferences of the individual; (b) the outcomes the individual seeks from the assessment; and (c) the severity and overall extent of the individual’s needs.   The Care Act statutory guidance clarifies that “an assessment should be carried out over an appropriate and reasonable timescale taking into account the urgency of needs and a consideration of any fluctuation in those needs. Local authorities should inform the individual of an indicative timescale over which their assessment will be conducted and keep the person informed throughout the process”.

NHS: Buildings

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to Making the most of NHS Buildings and Land, what steps he is taking to ensure that NHS Property Services and Community Health Partnerships accommodate integration and more community provision while providing a more efficient estate.

George Freeman: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State is keen to support commissioners in the development of strategic estates plans, which are seen as key to supporting greater efficiency and the delivery of new models of care as outlined in the Five Year Forward View. NHS Property Services Ltd and Community Health Partnerships have been enlisted by NHS England and the Department to support commissioners in the delivery of this initiative, for which integration, innovation and community solutions will be critical factors.   The core principles are outlined in the guidance NHS-estates strategies – a framework for commissioners published last month and currently available on www.gov.uk. The companies have published Making the most of NHS Buildings and Land in addition to the Departmental guidance.

General Practitioners: Greater London

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many GP surgeries in (a) Hampstead and Kilburn constituency and (b) London receive income from the Minimum Price Income Guarantee (MPIG); and how much those surgeries received in (i) global sum money and (ii) MPIG money in the most recent financial year for which figures are available.

Alistair Burt: The information requested is shown below:   Number of general practitioner (GP) surgeries receiving funding under the Minimum Practice Income Guarantee in: (a) London - 511 (b) Hampstead and Kilburn constituency - 5   Total funding awarded to GP surgeries under the Global Sum in: (a) London - £238 million (b) Hampstead and Kilburn constituency - £1.9 million   Total funding awarded to GP surgeries under the Minimum Practice Income Guarantee in: (a) London - £20.5 million (b) Hampstead and Kilburn constituency - £154,000   Source: NHS payments to General Practice, England 2013/14, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB16847

Diabetes: Screening

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Royal Colleges on the potential  provision on the NHS of patches to test blood sugar levels for diabetes patients.

Jane Ellison: There have been no recent discussions between my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Royal Colleges on the potential provision on the National Health Service of patches to test blood sugar levels for diabetes patients.

Blood: Contamination

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been infected by contaminated blood following a blood transfusion in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The following table sets out the number of incidents resulting in a transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) and the number of recipients affected in each of the calendar years 2010 – 2014:   Calendar yearNumber of TTI incidentsNumber of TTI affected recipients201412201300201233201124201000 Source: Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) Annual Report 2014

Department of Health: Performance Standards

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what metrics are used to measure the performance of his Medicines, Pharmacy and Industry unit.

George Freeman: Medicines Pharmacy and Industry Group (MPIG) is part of the Department’s Innovation, Growth and Technology Directorate, and leads policy for the Department on pharmaceuticals, the medicines supply chain, and the role of pharmacies (including prescription charges). MPIG is responsible for:   - the delivery of the medicines pricing schemes including the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme; - the delivery of frameworks for medicines procurement in secondary care; - sponsorship role for two of the Department’s arm’s length bodies; - the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; and - the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.   The key objective of MPIG is to support the safe, efficient and effective access to and use of medicines in the National Health Service.   The delivery of MPIG against plan is assessed internally through the Department’s Quarterly Corporate Accountability Review system. The overall financial position and performance of the Department is published in the Departmental Annual Report.   In addition the Department publishes, on a quarterly basis, the quarterly net payments and sales information relating to the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pprs-quarterly-net-sales-and-payment-information

Lung Diseases: Transplant Surgery

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make breathing lung transplants available on the NHS.

Jane Ellison: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is actively supporting and working with clinicians and scientists to explore the potential of a range of novel technologies for organ perfusion and preservation to improve both the quantity and quality of organs available for transplantation. NHSBT has established a Research, Innovations and Novel Technologies Advisory Group to bring together relevant stakeholders to explore the potential impact of novel technologies – both their cost and clinical effectiveness. If evaluation of a technology proves effectiveness, NHSBT will work with the relevant experts in commissioning, organ donation, retrieval and transplantation, to consider the introduction of the technology into routine practice.

General Practitioners: Greater London

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many GP surgeries in (a) Hampstead and Kilburn constituency and (b) London are under (i) general medical services, (ii) personal medical services and (iii) alternative provider medical services contracts.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) general medical services, (b) personal medical services and (c) alternative provider medical services contracts were issued for GP surgeries in (i) Hampstead and Kilburn constituency and (ii) in London in each year since 2009.

Alistair Burt: We are advised by NHS England that there are currently 14 general practitioner (GP) practices with general medical services (GMS) contracts, 10 practices with personal medical services (PMS) contracts and no practices with alternative provider services (APMS) contracts in the constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn.   In London overall, there are 699 GP practices with GMS contracts, 687 practices with PMS contracts and 116 practices with APMS contracts.   NHS England does not have records dating back beyond its creation in 2013. These are the current figures.

Hay Fever: Medical Treatments

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Colleges on the treatment of hayfever.

Jane Ellison: No recent discussions have taken place between the Ministers of the Department and the Royal Colleges on the treatment of hay fever.

Parkinson's Disease

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: This information is not collected. However, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance Parkinson’s disease: Diagnosis and management in primary and secondary care, published in 2006, estimates that Parkinson’s affects 100–180 people per 100,000 of the population and has an annual incidence of 4–20 per 100,000.

Ovarian Cancer

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer; and if he will introduce screening for that cancer for women aged over 50.

Jane Ellison: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) does not currently recommend screening for ovarian cancer except in the context of the Medical Research Council’s UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). The UK NSC will review the evidence for ovarian cancer screening against its internationally recognised criteria following publication of the UKCTOCS results which are currently expected in early 2016.

Accident and Emergency Departments: West Midlands

Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which A&E departments in (a) Worcestershire and (b) the West Midlands have 24-hour mental health support.

Alistair Burt: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Diabetes

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will commission research on the reasons for recent increases in the prevalence of diabetes in the UK.

Jane Ellison: There are no specific plans to commission research on the reasons for recent increases in the prevalence of diabetes in the United Kingdom.   Type 2 diabetes constitutes 90% of all diabetes. It is already recognised that the increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is being driven by the increasing prevalence of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. We also know that intensive lifestyle management programmes, that focus on behavioural change and weight loss, physical activity and improved nutrition, can reduce the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in those at high risk of the condition by up to 60% over three years. That is why we are implementing these interventions at scale as part of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.   There are also increases in the prevalence of Type 1 diabetes, the causes of which are unclear, although there are many lines of research currently being undertaken around the causes of Type 1 diabetes.

Department of Health: Public Appointments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library a list of all public appointments made by his Department between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015.

Jane Ellison: Under the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies April 2012, government departments are required to publicise successful appointments. Public Appointments made by the Department of Health are published at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dh-non-executive-appointments

Pancreatic Cancer: Diagnosis

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the new NICE Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer on the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer patients; and if he will make a statement.

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the new NICE Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer on the number of patients referred for CT scans each year; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: Early diagnosis of cancer is a major priority in helping us to improve cancer survival.   The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updated and published the guideline Suspected cancer: recognition and referral on 23 June 2015, to ensure that it reflects latest evidence and can continue to support general practitioners to identify patients, including those with symptoms of suspected pancreatic cancer, and urgently refer them as appropriate. We know that the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of a successful outcome.   The updated guideline makes the following recommendation for suspected pancreatic cancer:   - Refer people using a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within two weeks) for pancreatic cancer if they are aged 40 and over and have jaundice (new in 2015).   - Consider an urgent direct access computerised tomography (CT) scan (to be performed within two weeks), or an urgent ultrasound scan if CT is not available, to assess for pancreatic cancer in people aged 60 and over with weight loss and any of the following… diarrhoea; back pain; abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; constipation; and new‑onset diabetes (new in 2015).   The Guideline Development Group noted in a published costing statement that the recommendation for an urgent CT scan is likely to result in a cost increase because of an increased number of CT scans performed. They noted that this cost increase is likely to be counteracted by a cost saving from an optimised diagnostic process that will see an increase in the number of patients being referred to the right clinic after an abnormal CT scan. NICE has published a costing tool alongside its updated guidance on suspected cancer that National Health Service commissioners can use to estimate the resource impact of implementation of the guidance locally. The costing statement, tool and further information are available at:   www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12/resources   More generally, the potential effect of the guideline is being examined by the Independent Cancer Taskforce. The Taskforce expects to publish its report this summer.

Doctors: Education

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average cost to the taxpayer is of training someone to become a doctor in the UK.

Ben Gummer: The Department does not hold information on the average cost to the taxpayer of training someone to become a doctor in the United Kingdom.   The Personal Social Services Research Unit at the University of Kent estimates within their report ‘Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2014’, published March 2014, that the average cost in 2014/15 of training to become a general practitioner is £485,390 with the consultant training cost being £726,551. These figures reflect the pre-registration costs of tuition, living expenses/lost production and clinical placements and the post-graduate costs of tuition and replacement costs not the average cost to the taxpayer.

Cancer: Children

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what work his Department does with cancer charities to support children and young people with cancer.

Jane Ellison: Charities with an interest in children’s cancer services are involved in the ongoing work that NHS England performs through the Clinical Reference Groups (CRG) to provide a key role in major cancer improvements. For example, the Teenage Cancer Trust is represented on the Teenage and Young Adults CRG and CLIC Sargent and the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group support the Children’s Cancer CRG.   NHS England also works with the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group on treatment guidelines that are used across cancer services.   Public Health England and Departmental officials also work with stakeholders from charities with an interest in children’s cancer services. For example, earlier this year officials met with representatives of The Brain Tumour Charity to discuss the Headsmart campaign, which aims to raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms in children and young people and to reduce the time for diagnosis.   As a result of this meeting, the charity gave a presentation about the HeadSmart campaign to the Department’s School Nursing Partnership Implementation Group on 17 March. The group was receptive and committed to help promote and support the campaign, which included disseminating symptom cards where appropriate and putting information in newsletters and journals.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Mental Health Services

Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the cost effectiveness of providing 24-hour mental health support to A&E departments.

Alistair Burt: In 2014, the Royal College of Psychiatrists made an assessment of the national provision of liaison psychiatry, the services that provide mental health support to Emergency Departments. This followed a commitment that the College made in the mental health Crisis Care Concordat.   The Government’s Mandate to NHS England states that access to crisis services, for an individual must be “at all times as accessible, responsive and as high quality as other health emergency services. This includes ensuring the provision of adequate liaison psychiatry services in emergency departments.”   NHS England has adopted these aims in Putting Patients First, its business plan for 2014/15 – 2016/17, and will take them forward as part of its Parity of Esteem programme. This year, £30 million investment is to be targeted on effective models of liaison psychiatry in a greater number of acute hospitals.   Achieving better access to mental health services by 2020 set the expectation that, by 2020, all acute trusts will have in place liaison mental health services for all ages appropriate to the size, acuity and specialty of the hospital.

General Practitioners: Finance

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2015 to Question 3540, whether NHS England can vary the eligibility criteria set out by his Department on how the £10 million fund for support for GP practices will be distributed.

Alistair Burt: NHS England will be investing up to £10 million to develop a programme of support for GP practices where the Care Quality Commission has identified quality concerns in need of improvement.   The Department has not set eligibility criteria for this funding. NHS England will release further information on the programme of support in due course.

General Practitioners: Finance

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2015 to Question 3540, if he will establish a stand-alone fund to provide emergency funding support to GP practices which have suffered a financial loss as a result of the withdrawal of the Minimum Practice Income Guarantee.

Alistair Burt: NHS England are committed to considering how to support the small number of practices which are significantly affected by the changes to primary care funding arrangements, in order to ensure there are appropriate primary medical services for local populations.

Antidepressants

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost to his Department has been of prescribing anti-depressant drugs in each year since 2010; and what estimate he has made of such costs in the next financial year.

Alistair Burt: Information on the cost of prescribing antidepressant medicines is provided in the table below. Projected costs are not available.   Cost of antidepressant drugs, as classified in British National Formulary section 4.3, Antidepressant drugs, in England: 2010 to 2014 1Total drugsCost (£ million) Primary care 2Secondary care 3 Total 42010220,372.88,221.6228,594.42011270,177.27,818.5277,995.72012211,145.47,453.5218,598.92013282,121.68,708.3290,829.92014265,003.79,021.7274,025.4   Source: Prescription Cost Analysis and IMS HEALTH: Hospital Pharmacy Audit, provided by the Health and Social Care Information Centre   Notes:  Differences in annual national totals will, in part, be due to changes in the reimbursement price of some (mainly generic) antidepressant drugs.Primary care net ingredient cost is the basic cost of a drug. It does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.Secondary care cost of medicine at National Health Service list price and will not necessarily be the price the hospital paid.Total figures may not sum due to rounding.

Antidepressants

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much each clinical commissioning group spent on anti-depressant prescription drugs in the financial year 2014-15.

Alistair Burt: Available data for the total net ingredient cost of prescription items written in each clinical commissioning group, in England, and dispensed in the community, in the United Kingdom, for antidepressant medicines, as defined by the British National Formulary, section 4.3, Antidepressant drugs, for the 2014-15 year, is attached.   The data has been extracted from the Prescribing Analysis and Cost Tool system and provided by the Health and Social Care Information Centre. 



Antidepressant drugs spend per CCG 2014-15
(Excel SpreadSheet, 29.52 KB)

NHS: Training

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much (a) in cash terms, (b) in real terms and (c) as a percentage of the total NHS budget was spent on NHS staff training and education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in each year since 2000.

Ben Gummer: The following table shows National Health Service spend on training and education for undergraduate and postgraduate levels from 2007/08 to 2013/14 compared with total Department of Health (DH) expenditure. Comparable financial information relating to spend and expenditure prior to 2007/08 is not held centrally.Spend (Cash)% of DH expenditure £ million%2007/084,1664.9%2008/094,3904.8%2009/104,5884.7%2010/114,6944.7%2011/124,7894.7%2012/134,7674.5%2013/144,7714.3%   Source of spend: multi professional education and training budget monitoring returns Source of DH expenditure: Departmental Expenditure Limit taken from DH Annual Report and Accounts

Primary Health Care: Expenditure

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the NHS spent on primary care in England in each year since 2000; and what such figures are as a percentage of the total NHS budget.

Alistair Burt: The table below shows the total National Health Service expenditure and total primary healthcare expenditure. The reason the tables are split is due to NHS revenue expenditure not being directly comparable across the time period from 1999-00 to 2013-14. The percentage of primary healthcare expenditure when compared to total NHS expenditure is shown in the last column.   The 2014-15 final outturn data is not yet available.   Table 1 shows years 1999-00 to 2007-08. The NHS expenditure figures are on a pre-Clear Line of Sight resource budgeting basis.   Table 1 YearNHS Revenue Expenditure under pre Clear Line of SightExpenditure on Primary HealthcarePrimary Healthcare Expenditure as a % of NHS Revenue Expenditure£ billion£ billion1999-0039.2910.6927.212000-0142.6911.4526.822001-0247.2912.8427.152002-0356.9013.7124.102003-0461.8614.9524.172004-0566.8716.5924.812005-0674.1718.1524.472006-0778.4718.6323.742007-0886.3819.1622.18   Table 2 shows years 2008-09 to 2013-14. NHS expenditure figures are on an aligned basis following the HM Treasury’s Clear Line of Sight programme. Table 2 YearNHS Revenue Expenditure under Clear Line of Sight RulesExpenditure on Primary HealthcareRebased Expenditure on Primary HealthcarePrimary Healthcare Expenditure as a % of NHS Revenue Expenditure£ billion£ billion£ billion2008-0987.6219.92 22.732009-1094.4220.87 22.102010-1197.4721.37 21.922011-12100.2721.64 21.582012-13102.5721.4321.2920.762013-14106.50 21.3220.02   Notes: These figures represent the amount of expenditure on the purchase Primary Healthcare by commissioners. This is in the context that primary care groups (years 1999-2000 to 2001-02), primary care trusts (years 2000-01 to 2012-13) health authorities (years 1999-2000 to 2001-02) and strategic health authorities (years 2002-03 to 2012-13) NHS England and clinical commissioning groups (2013-14 onwards) were responsible for commissioning healthcare from providers based on the needs of their local population.   2012-13 expenditure figure have been re-based to allow for direct comparison to the 2013-14 expenditure figure which has been presented on a different basis according to accounting practices in NHS England.

Obesity: Health Services

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2015 to Question 2552, when he will provide an update on plans to publish the Government's proposed obesity strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: We will put forward our plans before the end of the year.

Obesity

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will meet with representatives of the weight management sector to discuss their potential contribution to tackling obesity.

Jane Ellison: Tackling childhood obesity is a major priority for this Government, and we are currently developing plans that include how to involve a range of stakeholders. We will put these forward in due course.

Obesity

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which local authority areas have commissioned tier 2 weight management services for the period 2014 to 2018.

Jane Ellison: Currently, there is no systematic collection of obesity services provided by local government, including tier 2 weight management services.   Public Health England (PHE) has recently undertaken a national mapping exercise of weight management services that are currently commissioned by local authorities. PHE are working with the Department to analyse the current access and provision, however this does not include future commissioning.

Continuing Care

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the performance of commissioning support units in managing backlogs in applications for Continuing Healthcare Retrospective Review claims.

Alistair Burt: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not made any assessment of the performance of commissioning support units in managing backlogs in applications for NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC) retrospective reviews.   Clinical commissioning groups hold the statutory responsibility for commissioning NHS services for their populations, including NHS CHC.

Learning Disability: Research

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2015 to Question 3297, what funds his Department has provided for learning disabilities research (a) in cash terms, (b) in real terms and (c) as a proportion of the total research and development budget in each year since 2000.

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2015 to Question 3297, what funds his Department has provided for research into veterans' mental health (a) in cash terms, (b) in real terms and (c) as a proportion of the total research and development budget in each year since 2000.

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2015 to Question 3297, what funds his Department has provided for forensic psychiatric research (a) in cash terms, (b) in real terms and (c) as a proportion of the total research and development budget in each year since 2000.

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2015 to Question 3297, what funds his Department has provided for psychotherapy research (a) in cash terms, (b) in real terms and (c) as a proportion of the total research and development budget in each year since 2000.

George Freeman: The information requested is not available.   Spend on research funded directly by the Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is categorised by Health Research Classification System (HRCS) health categories including ‘mental health’. There are no HRCS health sub-categories, such as for specific fields of mental health research. Further information on HRCS categories can be found on the HRCS website:   www.hrcsonline.net/   Estimated spend on mental health research reported by National Health Service organisations prior to the establishment of the NIHR was not broken down according to relevance to specific mental health research fields.

Clinical Trials: Families

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department gives to NHS England and NICE on communicating treatment commissioning decisions to families of patients on clinical trials before such decisions are officially announced.

George Freeman: No such guidance has been given to NHS England, which is an independent organisation and is responsible for deciding how its commissioning decisions should be communicated to patients and their families.   The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence does not make decisions on which treatments are commissioned by the National Health Service.

Medical Treatments

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department gives to NICE on the amount of time it gives to stakeholders to provide additional evidence for a highly specialised technology appraisal after it has issued interim guidance on that appraisal.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance is given to NICE on the amount of time it takes to conduct a highly specialised technology appraisal.

George Freeman: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is an independent organisation and is responsible for developing its own methodology for the evaluation of drugs and treatments through its highly specialised technologies programme.

Out of Area Treatment: Scotland

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department's policy is on cross-border patient referrals to Scotland.

Jane Ellison: A patient may be referred to an NHS service which is geographically located in Scotland.   Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for commissioning the majority of NHS services. It is for CCGs to commission services to meet the needs of their local population.   CCGs are free to commission services in Scotland as long as such services comply with the NHS Constitution, which sets out rights for patients, public and staff. It outlines NHS commitments to patients and staff, and the responsibilities that the public, patients and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively.   NHS England has published the document ‘Who Pays? Determining responsibility for payments to providers’ which provides guidance for CCGs on commissioning services from hospitals in Scotland and outside their own area.   A copy has been attached. 



NHS England 'Who Pays?' August 2013
(PDF Document, 324.88 KB)

Women and Equalities

Government Equalities Office: Public Appointments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will place in the Library a list of all public appointments made by the Government Equalities Office between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015.

Caroline Dinenage: The Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities made two public appointments to the Equality and Human Rights Commission between 1 January 2015 and 1 May 2015. The following appointments were made on 6 January 2015, for a period of 4 years, until 5 January 2019: Susan Johnson OBE – EHRC CommissionerLorna McGregor – EHRC Commissioner